https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/uk-pride-marches-suspend-political-parties-trans-rights-rcna206527     Carolyn Marie

https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/transgender-moving-desire/     Carolyn Marie

Whoops, I left out this bit. What does this sinister innuendo mean exactly? I take it to be an endorsement of the attitude taken by the UK’s NHS in choosing Hilary Cass to author the Cass Review, precisely *because* she had no experience whatsoever treating trans people or direct involvement with the trans community. In what other field of medicine would this be seen as valid? To exclude specialists in cancer from chairing a review into cancer treatments on the grounds that they might be biased, for eg? Does that ever happen?! Yet for some reason physicians involved in trans care are automatically viewed as potentially suspect. Again, not fair or balanced.

@Ivy you are right, my choice of word there was probably not the best there 😅 Especially as there are plenty of things about myself that I want to keep in the process.   Maybe what I meant there is that I want to "destroy" the shell behind which I'm hidding most of who I really am. For example all these coping mechanisms that I developed to try to act as much as possible as I was expected to and are not fitting who I really am.

Yet it is not, by a far margin, and to state that it is reasonable without knowledge of the HHS report is just as dangerous as this piece is. Honestly, I can't even.

Hi. I got home about 5pm. Rested a bit and had dinner and I thought I’d check in.   To try to answer your question @awkward-yet-sweet, first the meeting was held in Sumter, SC which is two hours drive from my home.  I am a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church PCUSA denomination.  I’ll assume you don’t know how the Presbyterians govern so bear with me if you do, the local church has a session elected by the members that determine how the church operates within the rules of our book of order.  Which would be the rules of governance of the church from the national office to the local church.  That’s where I fall in the picture.  The next level is a Presbytery.  That is a geographic area of churches.  Quarterly, each church within the Presbytery sends a commissioner to the meeting.  At the meeting we go through many aspects of the business of the Presbytery.  We voted on commissioners elected to attend the next geographical area, a synod which for South Carolina is the entire state and has 5 Presbyteries.  We voted to accept three people to become ordained ministers of the word and sacraments and other church business including a worship service. When you arrive they have a light breakfast available.  You sign in so they can determine if there is a quorum.  The meeting. New commissioners are introduced.  Reports are given and when required voted on for acceptance by the commissioners.  We are the only ones allowed to vote, no guests and not ministers or staff. Including lunch the meeting lasted 6 hours but even lunch included a presentation.

This is way more fun than doomscrolling!  You look very cute.

Welcome to TGP, Marceline!! We're so happy you found us! While each of us is unique we also share many similarities in our journeys. We help each other, lift each other up, lend a shoulder to cry on or share a laugh together. We are here for you.

Welcome and congratulations on beginning your journey of discovery! While it might not be easy going, I can guarantee it will be filled with surprises and excitement. Finding self love is the most critical part of the journey and it seems as if you have!! Best wishes and know we are here to help.

Welcome back! Taking time to both define and understand you journey is admirable and smart.   Best wishes as you continue to learn about yourself!

Welcome Aydhindril  I don't think you need to "destroy" your past.  For me it has been more of beginning a new chapter of my life. When I get junk mail under my dead name, I just say "He doesn't live here anymore." Sometimes it takes time, I hope you can find what you're looking for.

Trying to escape the madness, why?

Trying to make sense of me, my first six months past without hormones, now the letter of referal for hormone care, but, i wanted to try and understand why am i trans?

Back from Sicily. What a trip!

Possible spark occurred to me yesterday.

A relieving thought for the day could be that everything is transient, and realizing this can ease unnecessary worry and stress. Another thought is that you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously, embracing both your strengths and imperfections. A comforting idea is to focus on the present moment, letting go of past regrets and future worries.    Here are some more thoughts to consider: "There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind—you are the one who hears it."    "As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong with you, no matter what is wrong."    "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."    "Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness."    "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."    "Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths." 

A relieving thought for the day could be that everything is transient, and realizing this can ease unnecessary worry and stress. Another thought is that you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously, embracing both your strengths and imperfections. A comforting idea is to focus on the present moment, letting go of past regrets and future worries.    Here are some more thoughts to consider: "There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind—you are the one who hears it."    "As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong with you, no matter what is wrong."    "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."    "Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness."    "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."    "Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths."