[theoddz]

I have changed everything......birth certificate (Florida, of all places!!), insurance, name, social security, all work/professional licenses, credentials and certification stuff (I'm a Registered Respiratory Therapist, now retired), and all of my VA and military IDs. I am currently applying for my passport, but that will be fine, with everything reflecting my legal male gender.

I had to undergo a total hysto back in 1993, due to my endocrine disorder, ao that was done waaaaaay prior to my transition. I have also had top surgery, so there's no more chance of breast cancer there, other than what a bio/cis gendered male would have. I guess I could, perhaps, need some sort of medical leeway to be screened for vaginal cancer, tho I haven't had a "pelvic exam" in over 20 years. At the time of my total hysto, they did a "vaginal hysto", so EVERYTHING, from the cervix on up, was taken out.

Now, about my medical situation: I do get most of my health care from the VA, as they have all of my records concerning all of my health issues, and everything is provided to me at no cost, due to my 100% service connected (medically retired from military service) status. I've been even luckier that I've always managed to get good, unbiased, trans-friendly care from my local VA. Heck, I worked for them for 13 of my 20+ years in federal civilian service, so most of them have known me for years and have always been kind and understanding. I transitioned at work, so many of my friends/coworkers saw my changes in progress. With the exception of one or two of the nurses (who didn't like me anyway!! LOL), I had a great experience with transitioning at work.

On the occasions where I've gotten private medical care, outside of the VA, I've had only minor problems from people with attitude, but that was VERY early in my transition, when my (former female) name didn't match my appearance. Other than that, I haven't had any real problems with medical care. If I did happen to have a problem, medically, I have no doubt that the VA would be VERY good about addressing it appropriately and caring for me as I am.

I would like to say here that any of my trans brothers and sisters, who are Veterans, need not worry about receiving good and compassionate care at their local VA's, as in recent years, the VA has developed and implemented many complete trans-friendly policies, thanks, in part, to folks like my friend and trans sister, Monica Helms (President and Founder of TVA, Transgendered Veterans of America) among many others, who have worked many long years, to bring about trans friendly care at the VA. With these policies now firmly in place, the VA is mandated to treat ALL Veterans with equality, care and compassion. The VA now furnishes trans-related hormones, supplies and psychological services to any and ALL trans-identified Veterans. The ONE thing they still don't provide, however, are surgical services for transition (GRS, or Gender Reassignment Surgery), and that, too, is destined to change, in time. The VA is also are mandated to use a patient's self-identified pronouns and chosen name, no matter what that patient's legal status is, if asked to. We have, really, come a looooooong way!!!

~Theo~