james writes: my name change experience
Posted: May 31, 2012 Filed under: Blog, James Knapp Leave a comment »  Contributor: James |
In response to: zaac writes: When the Letters Don’t Match (Pt 1)
My experience was much different. The heartbreak didn’t come until my ordeal with the DMV. But my legal name change in Summit Co., OH was surprisingly easy. I was lucky to already be “passing” since I was less than 4 months on T. But I feel like that had a lot to do with it. I never once mentioned the phrases “trans” or “sex/gender change,” and no one ever asked me.
I printed off the application from the court (of common pleas/probate) website and filled it out. For “reason,” I listed “personal preference.” I went that day to the court and filed my application with the clerk [along with the fine].
Tip #22: How to Pump
Posted: May 28, 2012 Filed under: Advice, Guest Contributors, James Knapp, Pumping | Tags: dick-growth, pumping Leave a comment »| Contributor: James |
Continued from Tip #21: How to Get Started with Pumps and Pumping
Okay, so you have your pump, either with or without cylinders. First, make sure you wash and dry your syringe/tubing/cylinders. It doesn’t have to be perfectly dry, but it must be clean. Use warm soapy water. Dry with a clean towel or fresh paper towel. And set your materials aside.
Make sure you have some time on your schedule. This works best when you’re relaxed and not in a hurry. To get the best results, you should be aroused before you start pumping. If you’re uncomfortable with that or just don’t feel like it, it’s not a big deal. But I recommend that you take a shower before you start pumping. The warm water will encourage blood flow, loosen you up, and ensure that the area is clean.
Tip #21: How to Get Started with Pumps and Pumping
Posted: May 23, 2012 Filed under: Advice, How To, James Knapp, Pumping | Tags: dick-growth, pumping, pumps Leave a comment »| Contributor: James |
There are conflicting ideas out there about whether or not pumping works. You see these ads online and on TV about penis enlargement devises and think to yourself, “that’s ridiculous.” Well, yeah, it does look ridiculous, but the truth is: it does work.
But it should be noted that you can’t expect a miracle. With continuous pumping, over time, your skin will stretch out and that will allow blood flow to the new skin– thus, you will be bigger. The size change varies person to person. If you don’t care about millimeters and centimeters, stop reading, because this isn’t for you. You can ask your doctor about prescribing a compound DHT cream, but again, if you’re not interested in looking forward to a centimeter to half an inch of growth, seek out surgery. If you’re like me, however, and happy with whatever growth in length and girth you can get, you should try pumping.
zaac writes: When the Letters Don’t Match (Pt 3)
Posted: May 20, 2012 Filed under: Blog | Tags: anxiety, discrimination, driver's license, gender markers, identification, legal, name change Leave a comment »| Contributor: Zaac |
In my previous two posts (Part 1 & Part 2) I wrote about my experiences in obtaining a name change and a new drivers license in a new state with a new name. I alluded to some deeper meaning in those posts that I would like to take some time and explore here.
To summarize, the judge presiding over my name change accused me of being deceptive because I was a “female” changing my name to a “male” name, and reminded me that I would have to work hard to not deceive people. He gave me a hard time but eventually signed off on it. Then, the DMV issued me a driver’s license with a male gender marker, despite my providing supporting documentation that I’m legally female. I rejoiced over this oversight (in this state you need surgery and a subsequent court order for a legal change on a driver’s license), but quickly felt guilty, anxious, and shameful about “cheating” the system and having “incorrect” documents. I returned to the DMV the following day to alert them of this error but the teller would not change it back without my original birth certificate. I showed her all of the documentation I had yesterday that has that stupid little “F” written all over it but it didn’t matter. I can’t be sure, but I think the teller might have changed it back without today except she was really hung up on the fact that I was born with a “male” middle name. Alas, I now have a driver’s license with a male gender marker until I return with my birth certificate.
I am ecstatic to have one piece of ID that has what I feel to be the correct gender marker, but I still feel anxious about it. This whole process has also made me think about the policies, laws, requirements that dictate gender in this country and why the system is so twisted.
zaac writes: When the Letters Don’t Match (Pt 2)
Posted: May 11, 2012 Filed under: Blog | Tags: driver's license, gender markers, identification, legal, name change Leave a comment »| Contributor: Zaac |
Continued from: When the Letters Don’t Match (Pt 1)
So to continue on this journey…Yesterday I went to the DMV to obtain a new drivers license in my new name. This was also my first time applying for one in this state. To do so, I provided my old drivers license (from another state, gender listed as F), my Passport (from 2005, pre-transition, pre-first thought about anything trans-related, gender listed as F, pretty feminine looking picture and all–pony tail, pink shirt, tank top; my how I’ve changed!), vehicle registration, court ordered name change (again, gender listed as F), and my lease. (I also threw in the social security card and school ID for fun.) The teller made copies of all of these documents and entered my information into the system.
Well, much to my surprise the teller issued a driver’s license with gender listed as male! In HS (homestate), to change your gender on a driver’s license, the information I’ve found indicates that you need proof of surgery. Anecdotally, this means either top and bottom surgery or a strongly worded letter that indicates the individual has had “enough” surgery. Well, I’ve had no surgeries and have no letter so what happened here?
