starting SRS and HRT??

[April Lyn]

Can someone please tell me what the process is for starting HRT and preparing for SRS? I have read in the diagnostic manual that a therapist would have to write a letter to a "Gender Committee" who would evaluate me and then approve hormones through an endocrinologist who would prescribe them. And a similar process for surgery itself. So is this how it works? What exactly is, and where are the Gender Committee? Any help and advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated, especially by those who have already been down this road, especially if anyone has any contact info for someone in Mass, North of Boston. I am ready to start this journey, but have so many questions on where to begin.

Additionally, I am looking to get involved with a support group in the area as well if anyone knows of any in the area.

- April

[Aprilrain]

Gender committee: that constant noise in your head about gender:heehee:

I have no idea what a gender committee is but I do know that finding a therapist and a support group were my first order of business.

good luck!

[Stephenie S]

A "Gender Committee"? Nope. No such thing, hon. You misunderstood, read old material, or live in a different country.

Here's what should happen:

You and your therapist decide you are ready for transition. The first steps might be hormone therapy. Your therapist writes a referral letter to a physician (preferably an endocrinologist) who will start you on hormone therapy.

You begin your real life experience where you actually live and work and socialize as a woman for a year. At the end of that year, if you are still certain that you can live successfully as a woman, your therapist will write a referral letter to a surgeon approving you for SRS. This letter has to be approved by a second therapist.

In between all of this therapy stuff comes all the work. Finding a clothing style that's right for you. Having facial (and other) hair removed. Learning makeup skills. Finding a hairstyle that suits you. Building a wardrobe. Socializing as a woman. Learning how to deal with men. Changing all your identification. Figuring out how to support yourself as a woman with far less pay. Finding the funding for SRS and FFS. Relating to family and co-workers and friends.

There is a LOT to do.

Are you ready?

[Jorja]

Well I guess Stephenie S covered that about as well as one can. Good Luck!

[Traci Elizabeth]

We all know that the "Gender Committee" is a secret organization who's members have taken an "Oath of Silence - the OmertÃ*."

So no one is going to admit to you that such an organization exists.

[Stephenie S]

Geez, Traci, now you've done it. You're not supposed to tell ANY one about the "Gender Committee". Now we're gonna have to kill you and April Lyn both!

Of course, you might get approved first and then you will be safe. But what about poor April Lyn? Do you think we can get her through in time?

S

[Bree-asaurus]

Ok, well if someone was in fact part of this secret "Gender Committee" and saw Traci's post, then yes Stepenie, she better watch her back. But what do you think would happen to someone else of this committee, say... Stephenie, who publicly corroborated Traci's story with threats to silence her?

I'm just throwing it out there... not saying that any of this is true or that either of you need to watch your back. The whole idea is just silly! :D

*shifty eyes* :shades:

[Kathryn Martin]

I may be wrong but in the UK there is such a thing as a gender committee. The ordinary course for HRT is therapy sessions and then after the therapist and you are ready to go forward the HRT letter. You usually begin hair removal as early as possible, once you have been on HRT for some time people tend to want to go full time meaning you are transitioning socially and professionally. From that point forward surgery can only be had if you have completed at least one year of Real Life Experience. You might get the surgery letter at that time if your therapist and you are ready to go forward. Eventually you will need two letter for surgery because most surgeons require two independent assessments.

[noeleena]

Hi,

Oh dear you mean there is no committee, & i thought all those 18 years there was. never meet them though they do exist here in New Zealand D H B & the U K, N H S . just called by another name .The gate keepers & for some getting past them is a work in its self..

For my self i told our G P , what i was / am a women she said ill get you to see our Psych told him im a woman & will be liveing as one 45 min's was signed off no need to see him again . then off to our endo same detail do blood tests for a base level to work to, then 3 months at my requst then meds allso not need to see him again. that was all done with in 5 months

With in 3 years again at my requst surgery, age 57
There was no waiting as i paid for every thing & went to Thailand .07.

I am on meds for maintance as a normal menopausal woman. though my difference is im a intersexed woman even so i had no issues so every detail for myself went well & no problems at all .

First off i would talk with your G P . then he, or she can help you.

...noeleena...

[Stephenie S]

So it appears that in the UK they do have "Gender Committees".

Well, I (and the OP) live in the US. I did say that she may have read about a gender committee if she lived in another country. In the US we do NOT have gender committees. No such thing here, really.

I pretty much described how it's done in the US. Of course, if she really wants to use a gender committee she could move to England or Australia. Both fine countries. The costs might be less also.

S

[Frances]

Until recently, anyone changing sex in Canada had to submit to evaluations from gender committees. I started my process a long time ago and had to sit in front of a committee of about 10 to get accepted in a gender reassignment program, and had to meet with a large group of psychiatrists, psychologists and interns at every new stage (HRT, SRS, etc.). For my SRS request, there were even guest psychiatrists from other countries who had not been part of my process at any point. Since they did not speak French, I had to plead my case in English, while I had prepared myself in French. Gender committees are typical of countries with socialized medical care.

They have recently changed the rules in Québec, however, and letters can now be obtained from psychologists and psychiatrists in private practice. So gender committees are no longer the norm or a necessity.

But yes, do they ever exist. And talk gatekeeping. It's like having to convince en entire room of people to get to the go ahead.

[Pamela Kay]

April,

Most therapists and SRS surgeons follow the WPATH Standards of Care to determine if someone is ready for SRS.
These are the updated version of the Benjamin standards, if you come across that reference.

Here is a link to the WPATH Standards of Care. I think it will help you answer some of your questions.

http://wpath.org/publications_standards.cfm

[kellycan27]

We did have a gender Committee, but a couple of the leaders got banned. :heehee:

[Frances]

We did have a gender Committee, but a couple of the leaders got banned. :heehee:

Would that be the regal we?

[EnglishRose]

Are you looking for a knowledgeable therapist? Mine is near to you and I find her really helpful. Let me know if you want her details.

[April Lyn]

Yes, I would love any local contact info available. Thank you. I am also looking for a support group or additional contact info in the area too.

[StephanieC]

Aaah...this would explain why I've been on this road for a year and still no hormones (officially). I must have missed that door (darn!).

Yes, therapist...then doctor who prescribes. I don't think the road is as quite straight as that. And I'm not sure anyone really knows how long that road is either.

But I do like the thought of a well-documented process with clearly defined contacts and known expectations.

stephani