What are
/r/transgenderUK's
favorite Products & Services?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The most popular Products mentioned in /r/transgenderUK:
The most popular Services mentioned in /r/transgenderUK:
BBC iPlayer
OpenStreetMap
7 cups
Issuu
CryptPad
Bypass Paywalls
Wikipedia
wikiHow
Emojipedia
SemanticScholar
Mycroft
Wise
Gumtree
Trainline - Captain Train
Nitter
The most popular Android Apps mentioned in /r/transgenderUK:
Christella VoiceUp
Voice Pitch Analyzer
The most popular reviews in /r/transgenderUK:
Here's the app in theyre talking about,.called Christella VoiceUp on iPhone and Android
The app's free, with one free lesson, and 3 paid lessons £14.99 each. That's £44.97 in total, so pretty pricey for an app but not that much compared to paid voice lessons I guess.
Has anyone on here tried it? How is it?
A significant WGS innovation (because the Welsh pathway was co-designed by trans* people) was the establishment of Local Gender Teams of special interest GPs who initiate HRT and, if GPs refuse to prescribe on recommendation of WGS, continue prescribing and monitoring. It's a model that the rest of the UK could benefit from adopting in some form.
In view of the breadth of your aspirations, have you established contact with Dr. Ben Vincent, author of this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017 They are in touch with many key people seeking to improve UK trans* healthcare in myriad ways.
My s.o. found SOFFA groups incredibly useful when I first came out. SOFFA = significant others, family, friends and allies. Their meetings are for s.o., family, etc. only - they meet without the trans people being present, to enable a focus on the needs of the s.o., family, etc. Attendees included parents of trans children. Format tended to be a short presentation or talk on a specific subject of relevance, followed by general chat over coffee and biscuits, with no obligation to specifically talk - my s.o. mostly listened because they are not enormously outgoing / confident among strangers.
SOFFA groups started in the US and there are only a few in the UK. The ones I know of are meeting remotely during Covid. Here's the one my s.o. attended for a while after I first came out: http://www.spanglefish.com/soffamarmalade
This book might be worth looking at? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trans-Partner-Handbook-Guide-Transitions/dp/1785922270
Hope this may be useful!
Looks like it's there now:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000z99d/the-one-show-02092021
I'm presuming op was correct about the date and not the date.
If I may? Judging against other countries is very difficult: depending on how you count them there are around 180 or 200 of them. So if one says "it's hard to get hormones compared to other countries", is this referring to Papua New Guinea, Chile, Croatia and Uzbekistan? And how does one measure it? In practice people end up using countries we are familiar with, and Brits usually use the US as a comparator, so it becomes: "USvsUK: discuss." Which is a bit reductive.
Perhaps a better comparator is the past and the future: is it better to be trans in 2021 UK than it was in 1981 UK, and will it be better to be trans in 2031 UK than 2021 UK? I'd argue that it was a lot worse in 1981 compared to 2021 but that it will be worse in 2031 than 2021, with the peak around 2015.
The past cannot be changed and the ability of UK people to affect other countries is very limited. But British people can change British society, and that's a good place to start.
An easy read but pretty comprehensive guide to HRT prescribing for non specialists is the NHS Wales GPs' guide: https://awmsg.nhs.wales/medicines-appraisals-and-guidance/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidance/endocrine-management-of-gender-dysphoria-in-adults
That NHS Wales webpage also recommends this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017 Having read it, I would also recommend it - it covers most aspects of trans* healthcare outside of GICs.
Hope these may be useful for you!
I only discovered it last night. The app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.christellamtf&hl=en_GB) is free to download (on android at least - I assume its available for iphone too) and has a sample tutorial which also includes feedback on how you sound.
That's as far as I have got so far, but it looks interesting. There are two or three stages which you need to buy at about £15 each.
Recommend HR department buy this UK-focussed book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Employees-Workplace-Guide-Employers/dp/1785922289 I loaned my copy to my employer's HR department which immediately went and ordered their own copy because they figured it would be really useful.
Its a learning curve, its trial an error. My advise is to start with the basics foundation, and eye shadow, perhaps eye browpencil if you need it also if you have fix your eye brows.
for now stick to neutral or nude shades you can by the palettes from amazon see the link.
Personally i find a liquid fondation to be the best just make sure you find one that matches your skin tone or perhaps just slightly darker.
Have fun with explore but get the basic's down first with the brushes ;) Check out the youtube tutorials.
Here's a PDF version, which may be a little outdated. There's also this map which I think has a version of the database built in.
I'm at the exact same stage as you at the Leeds clinic - only difference is I've been full time now since about May. I'm lucky enough to be in an area where I've not been harassed for it, thankfully, but I will say that it was way worse in my mind. I thought I'd get shit from every angle but as long as you have a disinterested look on your face and just get on with it like everybody else does (I know it's easier said than done when you're a nervous wreck inside), then most people will barely notice you. Even nights out in Manchester have been completely uneventful and I'm happy using the correct toilet now.
Sadly, the whole full time / changed name thing is pretty inflexible - bottom line is they're all human beings working in a disgustingly underfunded department and waving guidelines in their face will likely just piss them off (it helps to talk rationally about it with them though!). It sucks that they have their process but it's either follow it or go private. I also tried the separate nhs endo route and was promptly told to get out and go to a GIC. You will not get treatment if you don't play their game. It's shit, but that's how it is.
On the plus side, I figure seeing as we're at roughly the same stage I'm more than willing to chat about it! From just plain venting to the practicalities of hiding beard shadow (no laser before diagnosis, no diagnosis before full time - it's absurd I know), whatever you need help with just shoot me a pm.
Edit: Also, give this a look. It's behind a registration wall but it's worth it. It's an amazingly therapeutic read about the traumas of the GIC if only because it lets you know you're not on your own! There's some good information in there (but maybe don't take it too seriously, there's a lot of anger in there too :P)
I agree completely. And it's like 30 quid for 15ml too. I found one that's 22 I think and 30ml but I'm also scared that perhaps it won't work as well. Ahh, I hate it haha.
Edit: 23 quid, This one
> wave of guilt and shame (all directed inwardly
> recommendations of useful sources, blogs, books, articles, etc. that maybe helped them come to terms with their identities
A book I found super useful to reassure me that internalised guilt and shame were mainstream, what the origins and causes were, etc, was: Julia Serano "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity", second edition, 2016.
Hope this might be useful for you!
Dr Barrett who is/was the senior clinician at CX actually wrote a book on managing trans patients, if you can get a copy it's a fascinating read - though now a little out of date. I actually had him sign my copy at one of my sessions 😁.
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo .
Beautiful and touching story. Must be one of the best trans girl novels written. I listened to the audible reading from Amazon (got via a free sign-up trial). Was so nicely read. Totally recommended.
My partner is reading The Trans Partner Handbook and has told me that the stories of other trans people's partners has been really good for her. Not sure if this is relevant for what you are looking for as I haven't read it myself.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trans-Partner-Handbook-Guide-Transitions/dp/1785922270
Sorry again for asking but do you think something like this would be good or not because I'm mainly focusing ion sports bras with removable pads
i’m not a doctor and i’m also investigating this myself
however, it seems like because you need a very small amount of something like Testogel, it’s best to use a small syringe to get exactly the right amount
something like this (or perhaps smaller) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Syringe-10ml-5-Pack/dp/B00CX6VVA2/
I'd maybe suggest considering a Progress Pride Lanyard
it contains the trains flag centrally and to me seeing it i would know the person is LGBTQ positive and connected in some way but i wouldnt assume anything.
Magic Shave Powder - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Fragrant-Shaving-Powder-Gold/dp/B0048ZIFA0
Its not the easiest thing to use as you need to mix it but it also doesn't smell like hot death like Nair and other hair removal creams do. Doing your back might be hard unless you've got someone to help you apply as you're going to struggle to both see where it needs applying and to actually apply it.
tl;dr (from own experience)
Step 1: whole-food plant-based diet
Step 2: How Not To Diet by Dr Michael Greger
> I'm supposed to get a thyroid check for hyperthyroidism as well.
Blood check can never be wrong.
> My pores are absolutely humongous now, I have blackheads everywhere, bacne, buttne, and lost a substantial amount of hair from my head (I now wear a hair system to hide my baldness.)
If you are already using a hair system, then I guess you also know about finasteride/duasteride (will get that from endo if you ask, or online pharmacy), regaine (minoxidil) and micro needling.
Regarding oily t-zone skin (from own experience):
- /r/SkincareAddicts /r/SkincareAddiction /r/SkincareAddictionUK
- avoid aggravating it to produce more oil by "thoroughly cleansing" it excessively (my experience, washing more thoroughly and often throughout the day does not tell the skin to produce less oil (sebum))
- use twice a week (green) clay facial mask, after it dried up, washing it off just with water, don't use cleaning/cleansing or toner product afterwards, imo.
- for the pores (1) might test some glycolic acid toner or hyaluronic acid toner (see skincare addicts recommendation) as part of your routine, or thayers witch hazel. Avoid astringent alcohol based toners, astringent alcohol aggravates, it does not tell pores to produce less sebum.
- I also use simple spotless skin anti-blemish with zinc and chamomile, and asda tea tree light mattifying moisturiser.
- Always carry pocket tissues with you. Chemical facial wet wipes are too much chemicals imo.
- regarding breakouts, and back acne I'd recommend to look into improving your diet, and consult /r/skincareaddicts etc, and if nothing else helped ask GP for a dermatology referral to prescribe something like a small dose of androcour.
Saw this on amazon the other day by calexotics for only £14. Not tried myself and reviews don't seem amazing, but it seems good for if you're looking for a cheaper price :)
> Do not fall for calorie restrictive diets.
Well, you do not need to restrict calories, if you don't fall for the calorie dense foods in the first place (oils, processed food, fizzy drink, ...).
Thus, I recommend a whole-food plant-based diet. and the accompanying book How Not To Diet.
And yes, intermittent fasting is recommended. But when you think to break your fast at KFC, think twice.
ASOS carry larger sizes, but I'm not so convinced by the quality of them tbh - some nice styles for occasional wear but I wouldn't "daily drive" them.
The Amazon Essentials ballet flats on the other hand were surprisingly good quality and comfortable.
Like the others have said KT tape or Kinesiology Tape.
Also it looks like there is a Transtape reseller on Amazon.
Well done for asking!
If don't already have a copy of this book in your practice, I thoroughly recommend it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017 It's up-to-date, UK-focussed, and written for GPs and non-specialists.
i see Shon Faye's book has been recommended,
there's also Trans Britain edited by Chrstine Burns
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trans-Britain-Our-Journey-Shadows/dp/1783524715
and 'what it feels like for a girl' by Paris Lees - although some peopel are put off by the fact it's written in Nottnum dialect me duck
Ngl I do think transtape is a bit of a scam. It's literally just rebranded generic kinesiology tape. This is the stuff I usually buy cause it's nice and wide and doesn't leave too much adhesive residue when you take it off: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KQI9AGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_TMT01W70GGV826SMZ375?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
If you did want to quit completly I'm a big advocate for Allen Carrs Easyway. I quit a year and a half ago, went from 40 a day over eight years to none with no withdrawal, both my parents used it successfully too. I personally prefer the version that came with the hypnosis CD but they seem to have stoped selling that one, if you try it and want a rip of the track DM me.
Plus it's like a tenner and takes an afternoon to read, so there's not much to lose.
Should proabably point out I'm not sponsored or anything lol just a big fan.
You may want to also try using the following google play store app (or similar) for self assessment of the gender bias of your voice.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.DevExtras.VoiceTools
UK-focussed book written for GPs and other clinicians who are not gender / endocrine experts: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017 Includes chapters on how to support your trans* patients.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trans-Partner-Handbook-Guide-Transitions/dp/1785922270
UK-focussed; assumes no prior knowledge; written for partners and close family - would likely be very relevant for parents; pretty even amount of attention paid to trans masc, trans fem and non-binary - lots of quotes from trans* people concerning experiences, milestones, etc.
Easy! A swim skirt. I don’t know if Amazon links work here but have a look at these. They have shorts underneath.
I’d not normally recommend buying clothes on Amazon, but these are fine. As they’re Chinese, they size quite small.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trans-Partner-Handbook-Guide-Transitions/dp/1785922270
UK-focussed; assumes no prior knowledge; written for partners and close family - would likely be very relevant for parents; pretty even amount of attention paid to trans masc, trans fem and non-binary - lots of quotes from trans* people conmcerning experiences, milestones, etc.
Never personally asked, but based on the information in this leaflet the actual pescribing in done by the GP themselves, you may not need to see an endo?
There’s this..
I can’t guarantee it will contain exactly what you are looking for, or if it goes back to the period you need, but it may have some GIC history in there. I do own this book but my friend currently has it. It’s not exactly the nicest read as it you can really see the some of the kind of outdated clinician to patient attitudes from the GICs. It’s been a long time since I’ve read it, but there are case studies etc. Still very much contains a lot of the old transsexual/transvestite language.
Yeah, just wear a (‘scuse the term, it’s meant to be ironic!) ‘beater’ style vest. Can pick up a pack in Tesco etc (largest size in the boys section might be an option, cheaper and snugger for slightly more dignity).
The staff member doing your ECG will have dealt with everything, giant beer guts, scarred torsos, wildly swinging old lady breasts etc, so it’s more about finding your own comfort than needing to worry about their opinion or reaction.
Hope it goes well.
A book that I found very useful to help me better understand what spouse, partners and families of transtioners go through, is Virginia Erhardt (ed) "Head over heels: wives who stay with cross-dressers and transsexuals", a US 2006 book readily available from online sellers (e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Head-Over-Heels-Cross-Dressers-Transsexuals/dp/0789030950 ). 30 personal memoirs of spouses and partners, 15 married to cross dressers and 15 married to transitioning people, with the degree of dressing and progress in transition increasing over the course of the book. A mix of nationalities including some UK. It's in the spouses' and partners' own words. I found it immensely valuable to read of spouses', partners' and SOs' perspectives as I felt it gave me some insights into what my family would potentially experience and might feel. The key impressions that I took from the book were:
- Many of the transitioners came over as selfish and self-obsessed ar*es who devoted very little attention and time to their spouse or partner and families.
- Most of the spouses, partners and families were 'running to catch up' with the transitioners who made major transition and financial decisions with little or no consultation or even warning with spouses despite those decisions radically affecting spouses and families. A proportion of transitioners didn't even tell their spouses and families of major transition and financial decisions, knowledge leaking out significantly later.
- Most of the 30 spouses and partners had stayed with their transitioning other halves.
It gave me food for thought, and helped convince me to strive to keep my family pretty fully informed in advance of decisions and actions. The book also gave me a really valuable insight into the typical thoughts and concerns of spouses and partners.
Hope this may be useful for you!
Hey! I found /r/malepolish quite useful for tips and inspiration.
I also found this really helpful for the basics, learnt some tips there I didn't know (such as the three-stroke technique, pushing cuticles back, and leaving space at the edges):
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Your-Nails
Yes difficult especially using non-dominant hand. But so rewarding...
And I went out today to a conference, with shiny red painted nails - I'm not out and still dress/act male in public - got a lot of curious/inquisitive looks, no hassle, and my friends said how powerful it looked and one said I should teach his wife to do it.
My tip is to get some really sharp, long q-tips you can dip in nail polish remover and clean up around the edges with, to get nice sharp lines.
Happy painting!
Yep, trans-panic is the new moral panic for the media. In the early 2000’s it was strangers kidnapping kids and being paedophiles, and so there were tons of ads about kids not going with strangers, stories about men in anoraks telling kids they have kittens in the back of a van etc. Except, the vast majority of instances of child sexual abuse happen between family’s or very close family friends (something the media never really mention).
After 7/7 the moral panic shifted onto terrorism, and before brexit, the terrorism panic shifted to immigrants (first ones from ‘terrorist countries’ and then in general). This is because fear and panic gets ratings and newspaper purchases. It’s the same reason why it’s 24/7 coverage when a school shooting happens, and it’s always about the shooting and ‘what made them do this’ aka, what can we blame for a shooting (usually video games).
As you mentioned, they take one instance of something happening that involves a trans person and it becomes the only story, yet you could give them 100 good ones and they won’t use it. People will fear what they don’t understand if it is also seen as being something to fear. That’s why the media/terfs ignore trans men and there are never any worries about them using the ‘wrong’ toilet. Just like the moral panic about paedophiles, they are connecting the fear of attack/sexual assault to trans women and its utter bullshit.
Hopefully this moral panic will soon pass and most likely a no-deal brexit and the fallout from that will take its place. However, I don’t think it will.
Personally a better understanding of private providers, the necessary current role they play in our care and what they are allowed to do to support that.
More generally, Transgender Action Block recently published a PDF detailing comprehensive guidance for GPs if your friend wants to provide the GPs with any literature: https://cryptpad.fr/drive/#/2/drive/view/lCHbuXqvNnkhitIC0ROvCn64iTNW1xOAFWzC8ypHyrs/
Ben Vincent's 2018 book "Transgender Health: A Practitioner's Guide to Binary and Non-Binary Trans Patient Care" is written with UK GPs (and other clinicians who are not gender specialists) in mind: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017 Any clinician who read this book and acted on its contents would be waaaay ahead of most UK clinicians.
If you do actually want to quit I'd recommend Allen Carrs Easyway, I quit after 40 a day for eight years with no withdrawal, my Dad quit for the last two years before he died after thirty-ish years of smoking, my Mothers doing the seminar version in a few weeks. Plus the book is less than the third of the price of a pack of 20 so it's not like it's a massive loss if it dosn't work out.
Men sweat more than women and the smell is different, stronger. You should also feel warmer....
I'm MtF and don't really need deodorant now but Crystal is the best I have found. It won't block pores and stop you sweating but it stops the smell, just add a nice after shave if you want scent.
If it’s not too much of a hassle i would recommend maybe printing a template from https://freedeedpoll.org.uk/ onto some thick paper like ;
25 Sheets A4 160gsm White Card -... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TQUPRZS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Legally it makes no difference, you could write it on a napkin and it’s technically acceptable. But it looking more ‘official’ does help prevent having to deal with these kinds of situations in the future (but once you’ve got passport and driving license and HMRC changed so you’ve got proof of identity and address, you won’t have to worry about using your deed poll again until your GIC want proof of when you starting using your name (if you’re going that route).
I’d phone their customer service and tell them what happened and explain that it is legally valid. They might ask you to go back into branch or even send it off through the post but you’ll be able to get it changed don’t worry 😊
You might want to look into Christine Burns' Trans Britain: Our Journey from the Shadows - it's a great overview of the history of trans people/trans rights/trans healthcare in the UK. Really accessible.
Recent thread with potentially useful information / advice: https://old.reddit.com/r/transgenderUK/comments/p3s9jj/how_to_come_out_at_work, plus further links to previous threads.
There is a very useful book, focussed on UK law and employment environment: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Employees-Workplace-Guide-Employers-ebook/dp/B071DSXYPK I loaned my copy to HR Department and they immediately bought their own copy.
Hope this may be useful for you!
Hi, I’m sorry, I should have been more specific. Hormone Profiling is free for us, which is what we need. They’re GUM Clinics, so if you’re in a major City like Birmingham, then you might be able to find something closer to home. Also, I’m pretty sure that Manchester. The journeys 88 miles or so and therefore closer than London. Trains to Manchester from Birmingham. Manchester has quite a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, apparently, so they should have some resources, so it might be worth looking around for it. Closer to home, there is www.blgbt.org which might have something or at least be able to signpost you to appropriate services in your area.
I recommend https://www.7cups.com/ you can get many different people's opinion and there is a support group on it too. Plus you don't even have to sign up if you don't want to as it gives you an account just by going on the site. Hope this helps! It helped me get to know myself more.
http://issuu.com/mascaraanadhope/docs/draft_7_for_upload
But it seems now you have to have an account to see it?
You can see it on there.
I believe that the Liverpool one is CMAGIC which was supposed to have opened but COVID ruined their plans. They have said you will be able to transfer your referral if you've already had one to another clinic.
Recent thread with potentially useful information / advice: https://old.reddit.com/r/transgenderUK/comments/p3s9jj/how_to_come_out_at_work, plus further links to previous threads.
There is a very useful book, focussed on UK law and employment environment: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Employees-Workplace-Guide-Employers-ebook/dp/B071DSXYPK I loaned my copy to HR Department and they immediately bought their own copy.
Hope this may be useful for you!
There is a very useful book, focussed on UK law and employment environment: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Employees-Workplace-Guide-Employers-ebook/dp/B071DSXYPK I loaned my copy to HR Department and they immediately bought their own copy.
Pick up one of these as well - Wurkkos FC11. The nerds over at r/flashlight recommend it for budget EDC; it's bright enough to dazzle someone if you shine it at them at night, and it has the kind of strobe effect that'd probably induce epileptic fits even in people without epilepsy.
Also, sharp hair pins are legal, as are (at least in the mainland UK) non-locking foldable knives with a blade length of under three inches (which is basically useless, admittedly).
As you all know, being trans can be really tough. I myself personally have gone through a lot of inner battles and conflicts with not only myself but other people as well. I decided to write a book called ‘Stitched’, which is a unique story about a boy and a girl who are forced to switch bodies to save their country from disaster. I wanted a way to put our struggles into a unique plot that would cause people to think about the world. As time passed by, i have personally been able to look back at situations in myself that i found very tough at the time, like being forced to wear a dress to prom or attend any kind of daily situation in clothes that made me highly uncomfortable, to guys around me making rude comments and constantly making me feel i needed to prove to them that i was a man as well, and laugh. When i wrote these books i was able to include little stories and situations like these ones and show how brave the characters were in the way they managed to get through them. I hoped that other trans people who read my books would get to relate to the characters i created as well and enjoy the read. I am so happy to be able to share these with you guys and if you chose to read them, thank you, It means a lot to me. Here is also a link to the first book if you haven’t read it and would be interested as well, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098R5WYJD
> People who have had their gender changed on their NHS Records. Does your GP inform you of testing based on gender? Or does the GIC tell you? Or does no one tell you?
With the exception of NHS leaflets re: routine testing (breast, AAA, prostrate, etc) which DO explain need for patients to identify which they need and to book them themselves, no information provided by GP, GIC, or NHS generally. I'm consider myself pretty well-informed on transition-related medical care (psych assessments, HRT, GRS) but know virtually nothing about how A&E triage or any other aspect of NHS triages patients except for specific pre-transition visits from which I recall types of questions asked (fractures, gashes needing stitches, etc).
> people who have been through the transgender process
Terminology correction: "people who have transitioned gender"; or more simply "trans* people" (can omit asterisk because it's far from universally included).
> Our vision is to provide a leaflet to patients when they change their gender marker/name that covers circumstances where it may be CLINICALLY RELEVANT to disclose their trans status, and our commitment to keep this information confidential etc.
> Do you think this would be useful/helpful
Definitely would be useful but, because long periods of time may elapse between being provided with leaflet and needing to access non-transition-related medial care, likely that details might be forgotten.
Useful reading: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017 chapters 3 and 5 especially.
I have the Australian version of this (used to have to fly back and forth a lot with stubble taking 4-8 hours to be noticeable), gave a completely smooth to the touch finish and certainly can't see any stubble with it. And a better finish than I ever managed to get with a razor unless I was willing to shave off a layer of skin.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Remington-Cordless-Showerproof-Attachment-WDF4840/dp/B00HDJ8LA2
Chapter 3 "Administration and patient interactions", and chapter 5 "Care separate from transition" of B.Vincent "Transgender health: a practitioner's guide to binary and non-binary patient care", Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2018 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017 ) addresses many of the matters you posed questions about.
Everyone may have a different 'best' time to change their name when transitioning. Can be useful to take into account personal safety, employment security, etc.
Whilst it is possible to change some i.d. and documentation but not others in order to live life in two identities, there does seem that changing name and some i.d. precipitates a chain reaction which results in all your i.d. and documentation being changed.
This UK-specific book may be useful for you and for your employer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Employees-Workplace-Guide-Employers/dp/1785922289 I loaned my copy to my employer's HR Department which, recognising its usefulness, immediately bought their own copy.
Hope this may be useful for you!
> Does anyone have any feedback in this regard?
I transitioned while remaining with my existing employer and so do not have relevant feedback I'm afraid, but this UK-specific book may be useful for you and for your employer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Employees-Workplace-Guide-Employers/dp/1785922289 I loaned my copy to my employer's HR Department which, recognising its usefulness, immediately bought their own copy.
Hope this may be useful to you!
Hey! I’m actually going to be doing my own deed poll soon and would be more than happy to help you out! This is the paper I’ve just got for mine: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00XPRNVD8/
If it looks good to you, I’d be more than happy to print out your deed poll on that and post it 😊
That book by Julia Serano is exceptional and a must for anyone considering the politics and sociology of gender change.
Another good book, though most probably a little bit out-moded is True Selves by J Mildred Brown and is an excellent reader for both transwomen mostly and their partners
You can see, I do my bit for Mermaids in the above link. Amazon contribute a small % of the item price to my chosen charity recipient, Mermaids. The paperback costs only £4.25 and you should find it a thought provoking read.
There's a chapter on it in Christine Burns' book.
The wording of the relevant section implies that they were both prescribing and referring for surgery from quite early on:
> Crustily reactionary as he seems today, Randell was nonetheless a trailblazer, the originator, in 1966, of one of the largest and oldest trans treatment centres in the world: the NHS gender identity clinic (GIC) at Charing Cross Hospital. Rejecting the then-fashionable psychoanalytical approach as ineffective, he preferred physical treatments – hormones such as Diethylstilboestrol, an oestrogen used to treat prostate cancer, and referral (of a small minority) for surgery. > > Randell’s focus on the physical prefigured a more general shift in psychiatry through the seventies, a moving away from The Asylum (real and notional) and towards general medicine.
> what are the benefits or negatives of using one of these? I keep seeing people talk about using some of these but I can't find any information on them
An up to date, UK-focused, and neutral book that covers these points is:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Health-Practitioners-Non-Binary-Patient/dp/1785922017
Hope this may be useful to you!
As others have said - Lazer that nasty stuff off.
But as a temporary solution I use this: Nads for Men. It's not cheap, but sometimes you can get a deal by looking for packs of 5 or so. Do not use it on your face. I did once around my eyebrow and it took 2 weeks for the burn to heal. I really mean it... not on the face. As for your nads (lol) it's safe to use there [even tho it says it's not recommended on the packet]. I do. Tho it's probably best to use a test patch before sinking your plumbs into it. Apply - leave for 5-10 mins - rub off HARD with a damp facecloth - the hair is pulled out at the root. A session of that usually lasts me a couple of weeks.
For the face - and a more semi-permanent look you can get your own IPL kit. Here's one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Prestige-Removal-Precision-Underarms/dp/B07BHX2Y3P/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=ipl+hair+remover&qid=1559759375&s=gateway&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
You need dark hair for them to work well. They do work, tho are a little expensive. But hey-ho, that hair's just gotta go ;)
Honestly guys it’s basically a larger version of KT tape. I buy one from amazon for £3.60 and it works a treat.
HypaPlast Kinesiology Tape - Tan (5 x 5cm)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DM3QTHH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dBBADbJCWJEY4
Trans tape is not worth the price.
You’re welcome! Here’s a link to the one I bought, forgot to link it before:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00JQ7SZLO/
Regarding my GP, I think I’m lucky that I have a really lovely lady as my doctor. I made an appointment with her before the March lockdown and basically explained that I’m trans, that I fully intended to transition and that I’d already decided on going via the private route due to the extremely long NHS times. I’m not sure if she’s had other trans patients, but I live in Greater London and so GPs here might be more used to dealing with people like us.
I think what helped is that I showed her all the details of Dr Dundas and Dr Coxon from the GenderCare website, so she was able to see their credentials etc. She said she’d be fine with shared care, but would obviously need to check the prescriptions before approving them herself.
I hope it goes just as smoothly for you! ☺️
Context: medium size employer: a bit under 1,000 employees. I appeared to be their first known trans* employee. Employed with them for a number of years and intend staying as long as I can.
I sent a 'strictly confidential' email to the head of HR to set up a one-to-one meeting at which we mapped out a timetable that suited me to come out first to line mangers, and a week or two later to colleagues, and the day after that an all-employees email (this was my decision); all three in ways that suited me.
In the email to head of HR I set out a detailed agenda for all the meetings, and a detailed timetable of every action required to be undertaken by other departments e.g. HR, finance, IT, admin, etc. This was because I knew HR had no prior experience of this situation and I wished to drive my own coming out in a way that best suited me.
I can PM you the agenda I made for my meetings with HR and with managers, and list of actions for various departments, and wording of emails (all with personal information and company name redacted) if they might be useful at all for you?
But what I was comfortable with might not suit you at all - you need to find a course that you are comfortable with.
This book is focussed on UK employment legislation and is written in a very accessible and practical way: J.Kermode "Transgender employees in the workplace: a guide for employers", Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2018 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Employees-Workplace-Guide-Employers/dp/1785922289). Both I as an employee, and my employer's HR dept, found it very useful when I came out at work. From an employee perspective it sets out your rights and discusses best practice that employers should follow.
Hope this may be useful!
> trans fitness and healthy living
Kettlebell HIIT
whole-food plant-based Vegan (Nutritionfacts.org, How Not To Diet).
Sorry am not Ftm. But I've had a Google and it doesn't look too good for a UK equivalent.
I did find some fairly wide KT tape on Amazon though which seems to be between the Transtape M and L at 4 inches wide?
Well if you want to learn more about FFS and the procedure, there's this book I got that helped me decide what I wanted and how I wanted it done.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Facial-Feminization-Surgery-Guide-Transgendered/dp/1886039933
It's from the guy that invented and researched FFS.
So I had quite a few problems with patches (they were still far superior to gel for me ... don't get me started about gel), BUT getting some sort of transparent dressing to put over the top solved all of them.... I use these (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Tegaderm-Pack-100-Pieces/dp/B000O5YRPU). Makes the whole process much easier. I'd advise either shaving the part you are putting the patch on OR finding a part of your body free of hair (I use my hip and alternate sides)... Anyways best of luck!
The control wear style worked for me, these. It's a bit of a black are though. Don't think there's one method people can universally agree upon, although ultimately the best tuck is surgical!
I'm surprised there's not been more discussion about this show, especially after last night's brilliant conclusion. Thankfully, the main problem I addressed before seemed to have been toned down, only to be replaced by the script threatening to slide into more conventional family drama territory. Also, while I can appreciate the need to have it in there somewhere, the gatekeeping from certain characters felt a little too token for my taste, and the second episode's bathroom scene was definitely one too much - this aspect had already been established to greater effect. If there's one lasting complaint about the story as a whole, it's how quickly the resolution was hurried through. Maxine's parents reconciled, presented their united front and saw her begin treatment in a matter of minutes, where this really could have been far more powerful if presented over the course of... Actually, perhaps it's best in hindsight that we got a "happily ever after" montage at the end. By keeping this part to the point, it left me feeling emotionally overwhelmed in the most positive way. For all its minor flaws, Butterfly remains the finest example of sincere trans representation I've seen on television to date, and I genuinely hope its producers take the hint by giving us fans another series. There are already campaigns directed at ITV on Twitter, plus the initial perfect Rotten Tomatoes score is sure to be noticed by the powers that be. Roll on award season and some highly deserved recognition for a job very well done by all involved!
​
P.S. You can already get this on DVD:
​
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Butterfly-DVD-Anna-Friel/dp/B07HC3GW3L
​
P.P.S. Working on this series appears to have deeply impacted Emmett J. Scanlan, who has now added a butterfly tattoo to his ever-growing collection of tributes to projects he considers significant personal milestones.
I use NADS on my... erm... nads.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nads-Men-Hair-Removal-Cream/dp/B003JFJF5E/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1535650427&sr=8-1&keywords=nads+hair+remover
It's fine on my private parts. But DO NOT use it on your face. I tried a test area on my thick eyebrow... will never do that again. However NADS do sell a product just for the face - Im just to order one as Iv been plucking instead.
Its a little under £64 if you buy it on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/DERMATIX-GEL-60G-TUBE-SILICONE/dp/B007WDXAVY/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518703496&sr=8-3&keywords=dermatix&dpID=31kqLdskKsL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
I used it after ffs on my trachea shave scar but tbh im not sure it did much.
I dont think your clothes would fit me - but this is something Iv thought about in the past.
Do you have a decent mans watch yet? Id be interested in swapping mine.
It's expensive - but not Rolex expensive. This is my everyday watch, and it's almost indestructible (Titanium - so light on the arm and wont break. Self winding so never needs any work. Cool back where you can see the mechanics work)
It's this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Titanium-Seiko-Bracelet-Resistant-SKA493P1/dp/B005I2J16O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514055923&sr=8-1&keywords=seiko+titanium+kinetic
I even have the spare links in case your arm is wider than mine.
It's in perfect working order - but you'd be wise to get it serviced. The self winding powers a tiny dynamo which in turn charges a tiny battery and thats due for a change. Other than that tho there's nothing else to say.
So - got a decent ladies one?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M3UWDA2?psc=1
I can't seem to find the ones that I've ordered in the past (which is annoying as I could do with some more!) but there are loads of different ones to be so have a look around and see what suits you x
I used https://freedeedpoll.org.uk, just to add to that chorus.
A good hack is to print it off on "parchment paper". (Like https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IJA5FR6.) This isn't necessary, but it does make it look more official - and that is the thing.
Then, having done that, get a (provisional at least) driving license in that name, which gives you some photo ID. It won't have the hidden gender marker correct, but that's sortable later and is non-obvious. Then you can use that plus the deed poll (plus any old ID) to change name in various places. If you can project confidence, you are less likely to have anyone question the name change/ask for something "more official", but you should be fine in any case.
The only thing that required any more faff was my passport - for that I also needed a letter from the doctor to change gender marker. This wasn't too hard to get either though - did it via GP once I was on hormones from the GIC.
I have a really dark, thick beard. I just went to this website (http://feminizationsecrets.com/transgender-crossdressing-beard-shadow/) and did an Amazon search for each item.
As for a colour corrector I used this one (which helps blur it out) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Technic-Colour-Corrector-Palette-Shades-x/dp/B01H6W0UH2/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1486502323&sr=1-1&keywords=colour+corrector
Then if you're like me you'll have to use a medium coverage foundation, loose powder and finally powder foundation following that.
Sports bras! It took me ages to get someone to tell me this but if you're looking for something for 'subtlety' then sports bras are good. Also for sports.
I went with:
- This in medium https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A57T47I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- This in small: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YA2QG1Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And took the padding out as it looked a little unusual lying flat as it did/mostly still does on me.
add +2hrs later: Going Vegan (pick your reason why) is a process. Can't change 180 degrees overnight. It is a process, a personal individual journey. An adventure. Life is a daring adventure. Give yourself time. 1-2 years (reading up on the internet, books!, learning to cook Whole-Food Plant-Based (80/10/10), changing your grocery shopping behaviour and kitchen pantry, change of awareness, reading the back of processed food, forming new habits, ...). Give your self time, patience and persistence.
Where there is desire. There is a way.
As some people are mentioning glue marks from patches: the best way I've found of getting rid of them are these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/zoff-plaster-adhesive-remover-wipes/dp/B003IDDW7O - which totally remove the glue.
They are just a cloth impregnated with alcohol though, so if you've got any surgical spirit, I would guess that would work just as well.
I've been working with Christella Antoni and she's been great. She's just released and app as a training resource. The app itself is free and has an initial module for free but then you have to buy the following courses; quite reasonably priced though.
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/christella-voiceup/id1124464717?mt=8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.christellamtf&hl=en