The Trans Agenda: More Tips for Medically Transitioning

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Oct 17

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Hey hey! How are the dolls?

It’s been a few weeks since I published my last article A Trans’ Girl’s Guide Medically Transitioning and since then, I’ve added a few more tips and tricks to my list.

Whether you have yet to begin your journey or are years into your transition, I hope these words of advice turn out to be useful for you.

Name Changes

Getting my name changed was one of the most daunting and confusing parts of my transition. I was in perpetual distress over trying to navigate the American legal system, because I was sure that I would experience some form of transphobia. And also like...how the heck was I going to change my full legal name, you know?

However, actually going through with the thing isn’t as hard as it seems!

I started by going to my county’s local Superior Court to file a Petition for a Name Change. This is a packet of about 10 pages of questions inquiring about some legal information and reason for wanting to change your name. The price to file this petition varies from state to state, so be sure to call the County Clerk before going in.

Next, I had to post a notice in the local newspaper stating my intent to change my name. The newspaper’s main office should be in the same building, so you won’t have to go far. In the notice you must include your current name, your desired name, the court you've filed the petition with, the date you filed the petition on, and a statement admitting the right of anyone interested to object to your name change. The notice then runs in the paper once a week for four weeks.

If no one voices any objections to your name change, you are in the clear to schedule a final hearing with the judge. My final hearing took all of an hour and ended up being a lot more pleasant than I had expected. The most worrisome part of the entire ordeal was trying to muster up the costs for the petitions.

Stop twiddling your thumbs and get that name changed today!

Paying for Hormones

It’s no secret that medically transitioning is an expensive process. Longevity and consistency are important when it comes to taking hormones, but they can be hard to acquire without the necessary funds.

Allow me to introduce you to GoodRx.com!

This website was a lifesaver when I first started and had very little money to my name. It was especially helpful because it allowed me to compare prices at different retailers in my area, so that I could get the best deal. A lot of medical companies will match the price shown on the website, so check out this website even if you’re already insured.

Another great tool that helped me with paying for hormones was starting a GoFundMe.

People online are a lot more willing to contribute to a good cause than you would think. Raising money for hormones is one of those things that many folks can get behind, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

I’m sure I’ll continually add to this list, so keep checking back! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any tips of your own, too. This sea of legalities is hard enough to navigate as it is.

Be sure to watch my new Trans Agenda video where I discuss this topic in more detail.

Byeee!

—
Ivana Fischer is the Culture Editor of WUSSY and a film and media enthusiast who specializes in cultural studies. You can find her across all socials @iv.fischer

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