So some other girls in this community mentioned that they had their first appointments regarding transgender questions and such, and so did I.

To preface this, I’m from Germany, so don’t take any advice from this post please as every journey is different and is dependent on where you life, what healthcare options you have and such.

So, I went to an independent, donation based, center which deals about everything LGBTQ+. First it was pretty easy, going up to the door looking for the ringer, and then I suddenly stop in my motion. I hesitated and asked myself: “Am I really ready for this, to question everything?” My finger pressed the ringer and the Door swung open.

A super cheery woman was waiting for me and showed me the room where we would get to know each other and had to leave me alone for a bit as she had to deal with something else first (it was also 10 minutes before the actual appointment, I like being too early than being too late).

Then we talked. About all of my immediate concerns regarding transitioning, not only socially and medically, but political and work related as well.

I didn’t know that public healthcare in Germany can cover so many things (when you have a diagnosed ICD-10 F64.0 that is). From HRT, to surgery to hair removal, vocal-chord surgery…

Pretty amazing. Buuuuut, getting that diagnose is a pain in the butt, even though I’m in the third-biggest city. There are just too few specialized therapists and the queue times can be years long. But that’s not where it ends, I have to go through at least 5 sessions, 50 minutes each. And then I can get the diagnosis to get my medical journey started. Firstly, I want to go on HRT, getting those hormones and the body changes; they sound super promising. I’m not certain yet about the steps after that. But changing my legal name will, currently as a new law is in the making, take legal council, examination and some months to think it over, and then an appointment at court. WTF? The new law can’t come soon enough.

So yeah. It has been good talking to a sister regarding those questions and my concerns, as the political climate isn’t looking spiffy right now, and it only gets worse.

In any case, if you have questions or need help regarding trans* please seek out your local community as they can be really helpful and supportive!

  • macniel@feddit.deOP
    2·
    1 year ago

    I’m 36 years old. So waiting never has been an issue to me, even though I become a bit restless at the though of waiting and not progressing in any direction.

    But no the screening isnt just about checking if you are just going through a phase, I believe. Its also about making an “informed decision”, whatever that means really. Im not going through a phase and used the last month extensively to gather info, researching and testing out what works for me. But that would be something akin to self diagnostic, and Healthcare Providers (public) really don’t like that… so you need to have an expert opinion on the matter.