Finally

[Nigella]

UK legislation has caught up :)

I have posted on here before that I would not get a Gender Recognition Certificate as to be legally declared female, I would have had to give up my marriage. Last year, the UK caught up with the civilised world and accepted same sex marriage :D, however :( that was only for people getting married after a certain date.

When they consulted with the population they stated that a transsexual would be able to change their birth gender and remain married, however, such was the legalise that they took a further 18 months from legislation being passed to allow this to happen.

Now the process is underway for me to be "officially" recognised as female and retain the 28 years marriage to Sandra. What the delay has done though is made it cheaper for me to do so. Under the new legislation I only need a GP to write a report as I satisfy two main criteria

1. I have lived legally as female, with evidence, for more than 6 years

2. I have had surgery to alter my sexual characteristics

this means that I do not need a specialist to write the medical report, saving a few 100 £s :)

I saw my GP today and she will be happy to complete the necessary medical report, on the last bus ride to being recognised as female by law :D

[Eringirl]

Wonderful news. Congrats Nigella. Long over due!!

Erin

[Rianna Humble]

Woohoo! At last they got something right for us!!

[PretzelGirl]

I can't imagine how it felt to be held back by a silly law. Love does win out!! I am happy that you can make the change!

[Kate T]

That is fantastic Nigella.

It is curious how social legal issues and conditions can be both incredibly stupid and yet annoyingly important at the same time.

In Australia only one state (the Australia Capital Territory or ACT) legally recognises same sex marriage. Yet since 2012 (and I can't remember the legal precedent) an individual can change their gender on their birth certificate, drivers licence and passport and any marriage that they are still in will still be valid. Also to change ones gender on any "Australian Government Record" the only requirement is "a statement from a Registered Medical Practitioner or Registered Psychologist" (though it does get a little hazy as some government agencies still list on their websites a necessity for proof of a gender confirmation procedure).

On an even more paradoxical note, even BEFORE these changes, the Catholic church will still recognise two individuals as being married even if one or both of them has changed gender "Those whom god has joined in together let no man rent asunder" so to speak :)

[LeaP]

I didn't know it had been so difficult in the UK. A long, long wait by the sound of it, but you're there! Congratulations!

[Barbara Ella]

So glad for you Nigella. Long overdue and so right.

Barbara

[Nigella]

I didn't know it had been so difficult in the UK. A long, long wait by the sound of it, but you're there! Congratulations!

The only reason it was difficult was that I was not prepared to turn my back on our marriage. Under normal circumstances, it would have been a breeze, it was just waiting for the legislators to catch up with the promises.

Should be a breeze for all now, except for one little part of the UK who this new law does not apply to.

[Ellanore G.G.]

Thats wonderful Nigella

[Sandra]

:devil: What she hasn't told you all is that I have to sign a paper saying that I agree to this....so darling cup of tea time me thinks oh and a piece of cake would go nicely with it :)

[arbon]

Congrats! Sucks it had to be such an issue still.

[CONSUELO]

Caught up? So how many countries were ahead of the curve on this issue? As far as I know what Nigella described is not even possible in the USA, certainly not in Texas. I would like to hear from others on this.

[Nigella]

Which part are you looking at Consuelo? Same Sex Marriage or the fact that I can change my gender and remain in a long term marriage?

[Persephone]

:cheer:

Hugs.
Persephone.

[Jonianne]

Congratulations, Nigella, to you and Sandra!

[Nigella]

Phase 1 complete, Drs report done, now to find the paperwork to prove I've lived female for the last 6 plus years, deed poll, letters and bills, wage slips, driving licence, and they have to be originals. OH yes, his birth certificate

[Nigella]

Got the Drs report, a fraction of the cost from what a specialist would charge :) Only got my side to sort out now, paper trail here I come. Oh yes and bribe Sandra to say she wants to stay married.

A little more of him was killed off today, I deleted his facebook account, not sure why but it brought a tear to my eye.

[Marleena]

Congrats to you and Sandra, Nigella!:)

[Rianna Humble]

I'm sure that cream cakes and chocolate should get you what you need from Sandra (if not, send them to me :heehee:)

Milestones are made for celebrating even with a tear in your eye. :bighug:

[Sandra]

Hmmmm lets see chocolates yes (keep your hands off Rianna, you can have the cakes)

Thank you Marleena

[PretzelGirl]

Nigella, I think it is because even though we need to blossom/evolve/change..... There is a part of us that has the good memories of his life. It isn't necessary for our old life to have stunk 100%. I shed a few tears myself as I did have a good life. It is now a much better one.

[LoriFlores]

Sounds like wonderful news! Congratulations :-)