Those of you who started transitioning in the 80's, can you tell me a little about your experience, treatments available, time frames involved and any state requirements (doesn't matter which state). No, I did not discover time travel, I am writing an actual transgendered woman into Angel and would like to know what was different vs what's available now. Thank you for your help.
Hugs
Megan
Comments
I transitioned
in 1986 having started the process in 1978 but chickened the first time. However that is in the UK so might not be particularly relevant.
Angharad
New Wave
Hi, Megan,
I started in 79 and really dove in in 80/81, but I did it in Canada, so not sure I can help. Sorry.
Michelle
Should have, but didn't
I should have, but couldn't or wouldn't admit to myself just who I was and what I needed to do. Sorry -I really wish that I had, and that I could help you now.
Dallas
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Transitioning in the '80s
The single most important thing about transitioning in the 1980s was that you did so in the company of people, real live people and not disembodied messages flashed across the screen of a computer. A hug was a real hug. A helping hand was warm and real. The laughter, the pleas for help and the sympathetic murmuring of a friend echoed in your ears.
Coming in a close second to having a friend who was a real friend was the ability to quickly sort out who to trust and who to ignore, for the people who made all the difference in the world to me did not hide behind a fictitious screen name, a photoshopped picture or a persona that was made up. They literally stood there with you, whether it was dealing with obnoxious cops who wished to have some 'Fun' with us or a group of teens mocking you to your face.
For those who feel you are living in the best of times because you're wired and have thousands of Facebook friends, great. Me, I'll opt for the bad old days when a hug really was a hug.
Nancy Cole
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
Back in the day
Hi, Nancy,
I agree about the personal contacts being so different (and better) than today, for so many. But the downside was the *rarity* of those personal contacts! I was in Vancouver, BC, a big city, but there were no public meetings, no organizations to go to. Personal ads in the back of street newspapers were an option, but they were suspect. The libraries and magazine stands were our only sources of 'documentary' information, and those were usually bad psychology and even worse quasi-porn aimed at cross-dressers, with barely a whisper for transsexuals.
The internet has *some* advantages!
;-)
Michelle
A little of both maybe....
I think the real answer is that we need a little of both - the Internet has placed so much more information and contacts at our fingertips, and I only wish that there had been as much readily available information in my teen years as there is now. I didn't grow up in a big city, but rather in a very conservative, middle class suburb. The kind of place where you never heard of gender disphoria or transgendered individuals. "THOSE PEOPLE" were deviants and that kind of behavior was hushed up behind closed doors.
I had no idea why I felt different and wanted to be like my sisters - all I knew was that my parents told me it was wrong and sick and that if I did anything that my father felt was less than his masculine ideal I caught hell. The Internet would have given me the opportunity to see that I wasn't some kind of freak and that there were options for me.
At the same time, I absolutely agree that we all need personal contact - perhaps those of us with GID more than others. Since I have admitted to myself who I am, and have allowed myself to be the person that I really am, I find myself craving the touch of others. Since starting HRT, I have found that not only do I feel things so much more, but that I need to have that contact - to be with other people. Yes, I need the reassurance of others, but I also need to be able to give of myself. I can't do that while sitting in the dark, closeted in front of a computer.
We need a healthy combination of both the resources and contacts available through the Internet, but also the intimate contact of other human beings. Without that, we are not whole, and never will be.
Dallas
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Depended...
Depended on where you were... Outside professionals, I had no contact with other back then...
Annette
I First Went To My....
TS and CD support group in January 1990. There was a post-op who was often there and other post ops showed up from time to time. These wimyn all transitioned in the '80s. The CD group was a chapter of Tri Ess which was started by Virginia Prince. The group was supposed to be only for het CDs, but it had merged with the TS group sometime earlier.
Michelle, I'm sorry that there was no group for you in Vancouver; mine really helped me a lot. It made going out dressed easier and safer initially. They helped me with fashion and make-up and provided role models. G.M., this might be a change form the early '80s to the late '80s ei. more support groups in more cities.
As I said, I wasn't out in the '80s, but my two main mentors were. One was on Sally Jessie Raphael's show in the '80s and was the head of some big TG organization; she passed very well. Anyway, I started RLT in '91 and had GRS in '92. From what my friends said, I guess my experience was not much different than it would have been in the late '80's
I agree with all that Nancy wrote. In addition, I think, in Phoenix, at least, very few people seemed aware of TSs. My group went out on excursions and some of us passed kind of poorly, but we were never hassled. I think some of our success was because no one seemed to think we were anything but wimyn even if some of us were large and/or odd looking. In the eighties, I think this was probably even more the case.
Hugs and Bright Blessings,
Renee
I was..
I was working toward/preparing to transition in '87 when a kid on the way derailed things.
That said, I can describe the program I worked with/through (Virginia, USA).
You spent buckets of time in therapy... You needed to get two therapists to agree that you were transsexual. (Check)
Then, you had to fill out a monster form (lots of info), to be submitted to a "committee". Committee was made up of therapists, endocrinologist, dermatologist, surgeon, and a few others. You interviewed with each of them and had one or more physical exams.
At the same time, you began living "full time" in your target gender.
After two (2) years successful living, and with unanimous agreement of the committee, you could start HRT.
After a year on HRT (& more tests/physical exams) and with again unanimous committee support, you could schedule your SRS.
Need any more? Feel free to ask.
Annette
Wow...
And some of us, myself included, think the hoops now are ridiculous!
That... That... Just indescribable!
Abigail Drew.
Well...
I'd convinced two shrinks...
I'd had lots of RLEs (despite being active duty USN, living on base).
I'd met the entire committee (except the dermatologist)...
I'd filled out the forms...
I'd told my wife (timing sucked, and that's another story)
I was ready to spend my two years...
But, as I said, a daughter on the way derailed those plans... And, all things considered. I'd not trade in my family to have that extra two dozen years as me...
Annette