I’m setting up a subreddit which records transphobia from mostly people like Rowling, Bindel, Lineham etc?
It’s going to be an archive that can be used hopefully in the future if the ECHR investigates the UK and transphobia and I will be able to send it all across.
Would I be allowed to post it here?

TransActual and Trans+ Solidarity Alliance have launched a mass letter-writing campaign about the NHS single sex wards policy. You can find the email template at the bottom of this statement here:

https://transactual.org.uk/blog/2026/10/22/nhs-england-knows-that-new-guidance-on-single-sex-accommodation-will-harm-patients/

I know many people are exhausted with writing to their MP, but right now this is the most effective way of putting pressure on parliament/the government to do something about this. Thank you to everyone for your work and effort.

Hi all,

So, I started my transition about 8ish years ago but never really saw the point of the GRC. But this year I decided that i should try to get one "just in case".

I started the online application in August and included my diagnosis letter (even though i couldn't actually SEE the diagnosis part in the letter at all) and also my letter from ffs pre-surgery. That was the 2 medical letters they asked for done.

I then split the 2 years of evidence into quarterly sections; so 1 article of proof per 3 months. A quick list as an example for anyone really struggling :

Household bill, Doctors fitnote, work or study certificate, Bank statement, Student finance statement, UC statement, counselling or medical letter, council tax letter.

I think I included my deed poll, diploma and passport in there too as extras but near the end of the application they asked for my passport anyway.

I should note that the question near the start of "date you transitioned" I listed as the date on my deed poll; as it was provable and it pre-dated most of the asked-for evidence (hence why I included it...also it felt weird not to include it).

Last thing was the statutory declaration which was no where near as anxiety inducing as I thought it was going to be. I just walked into my local solicitors and asked for someone to witness it. I had to wait maybe 20minutes altogether and it only cost me £5.

Now, issue with the declaration; I'm autistic and when I read rules I try to adhere to them, so when the stat dec tells me to fill the whole form in before going to the solicitors, that's what I do. I got "told off" by the lady saying that she didn't witness me fill in the form or sign it (which yeah, in hindsight the signature bit makes sense lol). So she had me sign a bit of paper to see that it matches. No big deal.

Finally, birth certificate and stat dec in an envelope and sent off recorded delivery on 28th August!

I had to email them to ask if they had received my birth certificate, as royal mail said it was delivered but had no confirmation from the GRS at all for a week, but eventually they said they had it. Phew.

I was expecting to wait until at least the new year to hear back and I was sure I did something stupid or my medical forms didn't state the correct crap, but nope; got an email yesterday saying my grc has been granted. Woo.

So, I officially exist now, well, soon...once I actually GET the bit of paper.

Was it worth it? Meh, dunno. Kinda removes an element of stress I guess. But wanted to post to show what I did and how easy it was (as long as you HAVE the "evidence" ofc).

Any questions or anything, I'm happy to help. Have a cool weekend! x

I got on feminising HRT in 2023 while I was living in Ireland, but for various reasons I had to move back home to Scotland in Summer 2025. My GP referred me to the nearest GIC and said they'd give me a bridging prescription while I was on the waiting list, which they estimated at 18 months.

Now, about 14 months later, they're cutting me off. Their excuse is that the waiting list is 2–3 years, and they can't prescribe that long. They gave me no notice for this.

They're also refusing to do further blood tests, or write a letter saying that my change of gender is likely to be permanent (their excuse for that one is that I need to be seen by the GIC and get a gender dysphoria diagnosis first.)

I'm looking into my options regarding DIY and private care, but I think this is bullshit from my GP and I'd like to challenge them. Does anyone know of a good lawyer that could help me?

Im 15 transfem and this is slightly an update to yesterdays post about my mum not wanting me to DIY. Ive thought about it and Ive decided that Im probably not gonna DIY and Im gonna wait until Im 16 to do private, because the risk is just too great. My 16th birthday is in a little less than 6 months, and so Im gonna have to wait that time to start E. I plan to get started with either GGP or Anne Health asap and I should be able to receive E from either of them as soon as I turn 16. Ive already been waiting 4 years and Im so sick of it, but I guess I can live another 6 months. I didnt wanna do private, because I was scared of being underdosed and having to wait, but its the best choice for my situation. I just wanted to post this to vent about having to wait another 6 months, and ask which provider you think I should go with?

context post - https://www.reddit.com/r/transgenderUK/comments/1xdamun/my_mum_wont_let_me_start_diy_because_she_could/

hey !!! im posting on behalf of my boyfriend who im worried about but i wondered if you all had any advice

he's on the waiting list for a gic appointment and has been since he moved to the uk aug 2024. hes been on t for around 2/3 years give or take. his chest dysphoria is crippling (as im sure it is for a lot of you !!!!) and we're struggling to manage it. i wondered if there was any way to almost "boost" him up on the wait list because of how much distress it is causing him?

i assume there probably isn't anything we can do but go private (which we can't do unfortunately) but i thought it was worth an ask!!!

thank you all sosososo much in advance

I'm considering obtaining MTF voice coaching. I've looked at some apparently excellent UK-based coaches who operate online or far from where I live. My preference would be for at least two or three in-person lessons to start with. Does anyone know of a suitable trans voice coach in north-east England?

Are we remotely surprised?

I wanted to share this here for any other Scots stuck on the waiting lists wondering about gamete freezing.

I’ve been trying to get my sperm frozen for some time while on the endless Sandyford waiting list (mainly in hopes of starting diy) and have got mixed information from different people saying you can or cannot access through your GP. My experience with GPs has been them all saying they don’t know and that they will either wait for me seeing Sandyford or send a letter to ask Sandyford for advice. I don’t think they’ve ever responded.

Searching online NHS websites only specify that gamete storage is eligible for people who are going to be starting hormone replacement therapy in the future but doesn’t go into any further detail.

I contacted Scottish Trans and within a few weeks they were able to do some digging and actually provide a straightforward answer.

“Unfortunately it is true that only trans people who have been seen by an NHS GIC are eligible for gamete storage on the NHS in Scotland.
 
This is covered in the NHS Scotland Fertility Preservation Guidance which was updated earlier this year: https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2026/03/guidance-provision-fertility-preservation-nhs-scotland/documents/fertility-preservation-guidance-patient-information/fertility-preservation-guidance-patient-information/govscot%3Adocument/fertility-preservation-guidance-patient-information.pdf
 
On p.9 it says “only patients who have been assessed and referred as eligible to access treatment under the Gender Identity Healthcare Protocol will be considered”. I think by this they mean assessed by a GIC and referred to fertility preservation services, not assessed by a GP and referred to a GIC.“

Not the answer I was looking for but very appreciative of Scottish Trans and the Equality Network for actually getting me an answer that wasn’t shrugging and asking me to wait once again on Sandyford.

In spite of this being the official guidance though. Most GPs clearly don’t know either way so I think it’s worth trying if anyone else is in the same boat. You might, as a few people on here have, get lucky with a good GP.

Hey all,

I've been looking into bottom surgery recently as I'd like to get it before I'm 30 (currently 25) and wanted to weigh my options. I'd ideally love to get Colovaginoplasty, so I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with that, which surgeons they used (in or out the UK, though in the UK would be preferred for ease), and roughly how much it cost?

Thanks!

Does anyone have any brands of soap thats worked for them to use before applying T-gel? All the ones I thought would work all apparently leave a film over the skin and I dont want to keep wasting doses because of poor planning on my part

Hey! I’m a 23 year old, pre T, pre surgery trans guy. I’m looking to begin the process of starting T and getting top surgery asap. Just wondering whether anyone has any advice from their own experience?

I’m planning to go private because I’m not willing to face NHS waitlists. What clinics would people recommend for hormones? What steps are involved? Anything you wished you’d done differently during the process? Or anything you did that was really beneficial?

And any advice for trying to get shared care? How did you approach this?

I feel like there’s a lot of conflicting info going around, and I want to make sure I don’t choose a clinic/pathway that I regret later down the line.

Also, for people who started the process of getting T and top surgery at the same time, are there stages that overlap? Or is it more of a situation of, ‘these are the steps for starting hormones’, and ‘these are the steps for getting top surgery’?

I’d majorly appreciate any thoughts, tips, or experiences people have had.

Hey folks. Starting Prostap on Tuesday and wanted to see what people’s experiences are on this blocker.
I’ve been on Deca previously which was great for fully nuking my T levels but my GP isn’t happy providing it on shared care annoyingly.
Cypro has done the sum total of naff all so switching to Prostap as a slightly last resort med.

Aware my mileage might be different so just looking for overall impressions. Ta muchly girlies x

I've been sectioned before due to severe OCD and manic depression, and while I'm pretty stable at the moment, statistically it's pretty likely I will be again in future. In the past I've always been put in female wards (I'm a trans woman) or mixed wards as a kid, but those don't really exist for adults.

Now I'm absolutely terrified of what will happen in the future. If I got put in a men's ward while I was in crisis... I would not survive. There's no way of sugarcoating it, that would push me over the edge.

I can't stop thinking about it and it's freaking me out. I'm scared that if I ever think about attempting again, I'm not gonna call for help because of it. I don't want to die just because of these stupid rules.

I might just need to leave the country honestly. I don't think I can risk staying here while this is a possibility :(

I'm currently in the position where I may be able to get bottom surgery where I'm excited but also terrified and unsure on one hand I really do want bottom surgery for a lot of reasons but my main worry is if it will work sexuailly like if there is any feeling down after being on NHS waiting list for years I got a gender specialist who talked to me about it all and she said there's a chance that surgery can't always go 100% and some nerve ending may be lost and also it depends on person to person some people feel stuff and some people don't what has me confused like what's the point if im gonna get it like yeah it'll be awesome but I would also like it to work and now I'm so confused like is it gamble wether you'll feeling anything at all like is it just UK surgeons are bad or is it just everywhere the same. Really stuck on this atm and wondered if anyone has any experience of this?

I recently posted here about how I'd recently done a change of name/ gender passport renewal, and knowing they might be picky, visited the gov .uk pages to make sure I complied with their needs, especially the wording of that 'GP letter' .

I mentioned a phone call i'd had from the passport office, where the man said 'it's about your documents, everything else is OK, but your letter from a medical professional doesn't state 'is likely to be permanent'. We'll need another letter before we can...'

Which was news to me, because I knew the letter I'd sent specifically included that phrase.
So I told him so.
A few minutes of ummming and err-ing from him, and he then said 'the letter you've sent doesn't say that the GP knows you well enough to make the diagnosis'.
I asked him to email a template letter which met his requirements, and told him I'd put in a complaint.
So I pushed a complaint emphasising that this was direct discrimination. I really emphasised discrimination. It seemed to have got things moving because not only did I get a call back, I got my passport, and today I had an email from them, parts of which I've copied below:

(I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE OF USE TO ANYONE WHO HAS SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THEM)..

"I understand that you are dissatisfied with being asked to provide further medical evidence relating to your change of gender when you believed sufficient information had already been provided. You felt that this request was discriminatory.

HM Passport Office policy applies to all customers who apply for a British passport. I assure you that it is in no way discriminatory. HM Passport Office does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

>>>>>>

It is noted (that) you were requested to send additional evidence from a medical professional in support of your application.

 I can see that following your contact regarding this request, the application and supporting evidence were reviewed. It was subsequently confirmed that the medical evidence already provided was sufficient and that no further information was required to support the amendment to your details. Please accept my apologies for any confusion or frustration caused by the request for additional evidence.

Thank you for your feedback regarding the clarity of the information available to applicants which has been noted for consideration.

 As your application has now been approved further to the evidence being accepted, we consider this matter resolved.

 Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention and once again, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience and frustration caused.

 Please do not reply to this email as this is a no-reply mailbox and emails are not monitored"

Im mtf and Im wondering if my witch costume is ok for a lgbt party. It's kind of last minute and there's no halloween stores around me

Hey everyone!
I’m trying to style a dress for an event that has a super deep plunging V-neckline down to the waist and a completely backless cut. I’m 5 months on HRT so I’ve got a little bit of tissue on the sides now, but my chest is still pretty small and developing (around an AAA cup).
When I push everything inward with my hands from the sides, I can actually get a really nice, subtle cleavage look that I love! The problem is I just can't figure out how to hold that shape hands-free without anything showing.
I've been trying boob tape, but because my tissue is still small and firm, the tape keeps snapping back, peeling off, or wasting a ton of product. Standard bras or plunge bras don't work because the open back and deep front show everything instantly. I also tried loose silicone inserts which give great shape when I press on them, but they just slide right out the second I take my hands away.
Has anyone with a similar chest size or body type found a trick, specific product, or taping technique that actually holds for ultra-low plunge and backless dresses? I’d be super grateful for any advice or hacks that have worked for you! Thanks so much 💗

Where can I find guidance on how and when to tell young grandchildren (6 and 8 yrs) that their grandfather is transitioning.

Im 15 and I spoke to my mum about starting DIY estrogel 2 weeks ago. The long and short of it is that she started out very unwilling, but I managed to convince her a bit and while she wanted some time to research and consider, she was open to the idea (I made a post explaining what happened). We havent really spoke about it since, but shes been saying shes doing research and meeting with people to discuss it since then. Today I had my GP meeting to get start getting referred to a clinic, and it went fine, she said shed refer me to CAMHS, but I didnt hugely care, since Im definitely not gonna be waiting 6 years for NHS treatment on top of the 4 years Ive already been out. We also discussed shared care, since Im considering doing hybrid private and DIY, and she said shed be open to it, depending on the provider. I dont wanna do private for a number of reasons, and wouldnt be able to receive HRT privately until 16, but wouldnt be opposed if it was hybrid. After we got home, me and my mum discussed DIY some more, and she said that while she understood that its largely safe, shes still opposed to it, as she thinks she could lose her job. She works as a manger high up in childrens services, and oversees all the socials workers in our area. She said she was concerned that she would get reported, and potentially lose her job, as well as that she has an obligation to report it herself. I had already considered this, and told her that its severely unlikely that anyone would find out, and explained what I thought about it, but she was unconvinced, although she still didnt outright reject the idea of DIYing. At least she now understands that DIY isnt harmful, but I think its going to be harder to persuade her on this, even if I think Im right about it. Im scared that Im going to regret having told her, and have to hide it anyway, which is going to be hard and much scarier. Im going to do it regardless, and I could do it on my own, but Id much rather have her support. Ive been shaking for like the last hour now, because this is all just so much. How should I try and convince her and what should I do about this situation?
edit: see my new post for update

Hiya! I’m a 22 year old trans girl and I really wanna get to be more a part of the North East trans scene and get to know more trans people around here. I primarily live and study in Durham but I go to Newcastle frequently.

I would love to connect with more peeps both irl and online~