How do I...? For trans males

[Jamie_7]

How do I prove to a GIC that I am living as a male or have been for years, for them to allow me to start hormones? I have always dressed masculine, haircut is masculine, I am getting a packer, small enough breasted to wear bra tops which flatten my chest for now. What else do they expect me to do? Use a male name and start coming out to others maybe? Thanks in advance for any help especially from UK shores

[Jordy]

Yes, living full time generally means having your name changed or at least using a male nickname and being out to those that you feel need to know.

[Jani]

If there is a way to obtain a photo Id with your new name that would be great.  Photos with the date imprinted on them,  receipts for male clothing would be a start.  

[Kirsten]

Maybe a letter from a doctor? I know for surgery I need to be full time for more than a year and I get that proof from my therapist and doctor. They have to write a letter to give to the surgeon. Idk if you have a therapist or anything? Or even a pcp that you’ve talked to? 

[Jamie_7]

Can I ask, in the U.K. do you only need proof of living as a male to get surgery? Or do you need it to start hormone therapy? Receipts for men’s clothes, shoes, and haircuts at the barbers are easy! I still need to see a doctor/gender identity clinic however. Just at the beginning of the journey here. Thanks for answers so far guys!

[StrainAsylum]

Ouch.  As far as PROOF that I've been living "out", I'm screwed, I guess.  I've been out to my friends at my old apt and my current apt, but never bought briefs because my BFF gave me some.  Been wearing men's clothes for years and years, so don't have any receipts for those, though I get King Size Direct catalogs (male clothing for big and tall).  No barber receipts because my roommate shaves my head and I shave his.  My name, Scott, is only on some online games.

 

Am I screwed?  I did have my mental health med doctor put my name (Scott) in the record, though it's only in the verbiage, not patient title.  Will continue with that, but harder to change names, I heard.

 

Anyone?

[tracy_j]

On 3/7/2019 at 11:39 PM, Jamie_7 said:

Can I ask, in the U.K. do you only need proof of living as a male to get surgery? Or do you need it to start hormone therapy? Receipts for men’s clothes, shoes, and haircuts at the barbers are easy! I still need to see a doctor/gender identity clinic however. Just at the beginning of the journey here. Thanks for answers so far guys!

 

Someone is assessed fully to determine whether they are subject to dysphoria etc. I am not first hand familiar with the process, but care is taken and a period of living as target gender is agreed. I suspect this is not a concrete time as situations will vary (most professional inteventions are set by guidlines, not in concrete, due to variance of situation).

 

I have found this website giving quite a bit of info which you and others may find interesting: https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/   

 

This booklet, from there, is a useful basic guide to many things:

 

Tracy

 

gender_identity.pdf

[VickySGV]

The Real Life Time (Trial) of yore and lore does not have to have "proof beyond reasonable doubt" to get you going for things.  You are dealing with a therapist and not a Criminal Court Judge and jury.  You will not have to produce evidence or independent witnesses of your living the time.  The WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) Standards Of Care have also been relaxed and only really specify "a period of time" so that a therapist can see that you are learning the effects of your gender decisions.  Telling your therapist ABOUT your life in your preferred gender and your experiences coming out and living day to day in a perfectly ordinary way is what is truly important.  If you can talk about how your life has gotten better and how you feel better about yourself in terms of confidence, maybe even employment competence, and  just having fun, is what they are looking for in honest discussion of your life in your preferred gender.  A few selfies having good clean fun in life with friends and family are more important than dry old sales receipts for under drawers or work boots.  The real proof is a healthier mind in a healthier body that a therapist can evaluate in person.  If you have a diary or blog, keep it up, especially talking about your feelings and interactions with people as you enter your preferred world.  Be honest as you do, the therapist will spot a fantasy easily.   

 

Ok, that is a ramble, but I am coming up on 10 years of full time as myself and those were the things that have made the biggest impact on my transition.