Transitioning: Where Do I Begin?
Starting out transitioning can be stressful, especially if you don’t know who the accepting doctors in your community are. In the "Doctors" section I have listed some doctors that are LGBTQ+ friendly that are relatively close. Needless to say, a person does not need to transition to be considered part of the transgender/nonbinary community.
Getting a Shrink (or Two)
Many doctors, insurance provider, and the WPATH-SOC that cover the reassignment surgeries that someone may want do undergo while transitioning requires at least two highly qualified mental health professional to write off that you have experienced gender dysphoria/are committed to changing your gender.
THe WPATH-SOC is the Standard of Care for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. This the most widely spread Standard of Care of the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People (used by World Professional Association for Transgender Health). This is used by doctors to treat transgender and nonbinary individuals. This program outlines the necessary protocal to start hormone replacement therapy and reassignment surgery. WPATH-SOC has been criticized for its inaccessibility to those of a lower socioeconomic status (lower income, etc.). Version 7 of the WPATH-SOC can be found on their website here.
THe WPATH-SOC is the Standard of Care for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. This the most widely spread Standard of Care of the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People (used by World Professional Association for Transgender Health). This is used by doctors to treat transgender and nonbinary individuals. This program outlines the necessary protocal to start hormone replacement therapy and reassignment surgery. WPATH-SOC has been criticized for its inaccessibility to those of a lower socioeconomic status (lower income, etc.). Version 7 of the WPATH-SOC can be found on their website here.
Passing Tips
For people that cannot or do not want to transition, here are a few passing tips:
For people with breasts, use safe binding techniques! Binders in your size can reduce breast size and can be easily acquired over the internet. Compression and sports bras are also a healthy alternative if you do not have the money for a binder. Never use ace bandages or other materials not usually worn, and try not to wear your binder more than eight hours at a time.
For people just starting to wear a bra, make sure to get one that is comfortable and does not constrict movement or any part of your body. It’s best to get yourself measured too, but a rough estimate can be found on many clothes sites online. An example of how to determine bra size can be found here (warning: this site is not safe for work as it shows pictures of breasts in bras).
Tucking and taping the penis can be dangerous if done incorrectly. A girdle or panty hoes may help you tuck, but if it is possible buy and use specialized panties that are made especially for this purpose. A tucking guide can be found here (warning: this site is not safe for work as it describes thoroughly how to tuck).
Replicating a penis can be done with a packer specifically made for this purpose, but even a pair of clean socks will do. But make sure to clean your packer with soap and water. Do not boil your packer unless you know it is made of silicone. More about this subject can be found here (warning: this site is not safe for work as it shows anatomically correct packing devices).
For people with breasts, use safe binding techniques! Binders in your size can reduce breast size and can be easily acquired over the internet. Compression and sports bras are also a healthy alternative if you do not have the money for a binder. Never use ace bandages or other materials not usually worn, and try not to wear your binder more than eight hours at a time.
For people just starting to wear a bra, make sure to get one that is comfortable and does not constrict movement or any part of your body. It’s best to get yourself measured too, but a rough estimate can be found on many clothes sites online. An example of how to determine bra size can be found here (warning: this site is not safe for work as it shows pictures of breasts in bras).
Tucking and taping the penis can be dangerous if done incorrectly. A girdle or panty hoes may help you tuck, but if it is possible buy and use specialized panties that are made especially for this purpose. A tucking guide can be found here (warning: this site is not safe for work as it describes thoroughly how to tuck).
Replicating a penis can be done with a packer specifically made for this purpose, but even a pair of clean socks will do. But make sure to clean your packer with soap and water. Do not boil your packer unless you know it is made of silicone. More about this subject can be found here (warning: this site is not safe for work as it shows anatomically correct packing devices).
The Legality of Transitioning
Transitioning is usually used by the transgender community to describe the process to permanently change one’s primary and secondary sexual characteristic, and by extend, one’s gender presentation to more closely fit their gender identity.
For anybody thinking about transitioning, it is legal in the state of Texas to change your gender on your birth certificate by filling out Form VS-170 to amend the certificate.
As of 2009, Texas also recognized heterosexual marriages in which one or both of the parties are transgender. This has further been improved as of 2015, where homosexual marriages in which one of both parties are transgender have also been recognized.
For anybody thinking about transitioning, it is legal in the state of Texas to change your gender on your birth certificate by filling out Form VS-170 to amend the certificate.
As of 2009, Texas also recognized heterosexual marriages in which one or both of the parties are transgender. This has further been improved as of 2015, where homosexual marriages in which one of both parties are transgender have also been recognized.