As a trans non-binary man, I’m also aware of the feeling of not being “trans enough” (a stupid attitude, I know) to receive the support and respect I deserve. I, like many other trans people, have encountered the struggle of lying about some aspects of our identities, especially when receiving medical care, whether or not, and this is not new to me or to other trans people. Non-binary and trans identities are frequently misunderstood in these spheres, and several trans people may have to identify themselves in ways that more closely resemble a cisgender and linear understanding of gender and transness to come across as “certain” enough to obtain care. As for me, I thought the same would have been for my life at Manchester, but how wrong I was! I have always felt more supported during my transition here than I have while I’m in Manchester. The atmosphere is very transgender-friendly, with staff being very sympathetic as well as other students, and the friends I’ve made are extremely respectful of who I am. The school has its own Trans Plan and Guidance for both transgender faculty and students.
Here’s a quick-ish “guide” on the help that is available for you at Manchester.
Changing your title on educational websites
I haven’t yet decided to change my name legally, but it’s something I’m trying to do that I can’t stop umming and ahhing over because it’s both challenging and simple. I’ll finally get around to doing it this year! Thankfully, preferred names are recognized by the University of Manchester; however, they won’t appear on official documents like certificates or student ID.
In November of 2022, which was my first year of investigation, I emailed [email protected]. after speaking with my academic consultant, I asked to change my birth name to my chosen name. Before requesting this, I had even made my instructors aware of my new name because I disliked the idea of people knowing who I was and who I was. They all were very supportive of this. The Equality and Diversity staff is extremely accommodating and accommodating, and they even offered to contact me directly to let my educators know about the name change. They gave me instructions on how to change my name lawfully, as well as step-by-step, and gave me paperwork and guidance on how to do it.
Fortunately, my chosen title started appearing on course registers within the first fortnight! My birth name may also appear on some class registers, which the system initially took a few months to fix. But please don’t let this stop you from requesting a name change – everything is fine and dandy now, and it’s extremely affirming to see my name, Ray, appearing on the library systems, on Blackboard, above my email. Because I’m no longer merely denying who I am, it has given me a lot of confidence and made me feel really self-assured and like a part of the class!
Of course, the University does change your name on their techniques if it has been approved by Deed Poll. This may then appear on official records like certificates and other ones. I also recommend getting in contact with [email protected]. for this, as they will inform you of the procedure.
Changing your school contact target
Although I’m personally too lazy to change your university email address to reflect your chosen name isn’t that difficult (or so I’ve been told). The Equality and Diversity group may also inform you of this process if you’re requesting a change of brand on school systems.
You just need to submit a query on the IT Support Portal through the “Email issue/request” service, and then select the “Amend my University of Manchester email address” option. After logging in with your email and password, you can access this below. This does, however, appear to be for workers and graduate students. As such, if you run into an issue with this, I suggest contacting [email protected]. kingdom or IT Help itself.
In essence, you will have two email lists, with the new email address serving as your main email address. You can ask to have the old contact address deleted, yet.
Gender-affirming treatment provided by your GP
I retired from the family’s Gender Identity Service programme in 2021, but I’ve since had my next appointment since. I’m still waiting to hear from them after nearly four decades, and it is agonizing. In order to avoid being rejected, I advise my questioning friends to also ask for a recommendation to a Gender Identity/Dysphoria Clinic, which is more than acceptable, or to make the decision to change careers or to pursue other options. It’s better to be safe than sorry, in my opinion – the five times that you’re waiting for an interview may go independently. If you haven’t received a recommendation from a GDC, I highly suggest you do so as soon as possible. Going private is also an opportunity, but not one that I can personally purchase – student resources, and all!
Then, a bridging prescription is a wonderful thing. Many of my trans friends have been refused it by GPs that aren’t following guidelines, including me, with a shocking 80% of GPs refusing to prescribe it to patients. It’s just intended as harm reduction, given to patients who are self-correcting or at risk of harm or suicide, whose doctors have consulted gender specialists. Essentially, it’s a prescription for (often low-dose) hormones designed to tide you over until your referral is made for gender clinic visits. Due to how significantly it affects my mental health, my medical history declares me to have “severe female dysphoria,” so I was able to get a hormone prescription in this manner.
My home-based GP refused to give me a bridging dosage, so in the months prior to my arrival in Manchester, I had to search diligently for a trans-friendly GP who had previously issued bridging prescriptions. I’ll save you searching: the Robert Darbishire Practice is who you want to go with (though I do recommend shopping around a bit, of course). I made an appointment with Dr. Vicky Mitchell after learning that she was one of the two general practitioners who handle bridging treatments, and I’ve now been taking hormones for nine months! Now that I’ve started my medical transition, I seriously couldn’t be happier. The answer is never, at the very least.
The Student Union’s Gender Expression Fund
Where do I actually start? Following the passage of the Trans Inclusion Policy through the Union Assembly, the University of Manchester’s Trans Association team has already started facilitating the techniques I’ve previously discussed. They have also spearheaded the great Gender Expression Fund, which you can read more about and use for these.
As long as you are a “trans, non-linear, intersex, or female-different” student at the University of Manchester, then you can qualify for up to £100 at a time in order to pay for gender-affirming products, like binders and breast forms, or healthcare, though you do have to provide evidence. I personally paid just under £100 for my testosterone prescription, which is honestly really amazing for me. It is only going to take me ten months. We both highly recommend Spectrum Outfitters for binders, so my partner and I are both very pleased with the Gender Expression Fund overall. If there are any financial obstacles to your transition, I highly suggest applying. As long as the money goes toward your transition, you should be given the funds, though it might take a few minutes for them to return it to you. I promise, it’s great!
The Trans Association’s official Instagram account and the University of Manchester’s Student Union page are accessible here.
Finding community
The importance of finding people like yourself shouldn’t be downplayed. Before I moved schools, there was just one other transgender person in our year in high school, and I was too afraid to let go of the past until my second year of sixth form when I remained the only transgender student. I can’t stress enough how, as a result of entering college, I feel much more accepted and normal than I have been othered.
I’ve met a few trans people naturally through my course or otherwise, and it’s amazing to be able to talk to people who share tips and tricks with or to vent to. I love being trans, but it isn’t always simple.
One of the University of Manchester’s LGBT+ Society events, which you can find their Instagram page here and their SU page here, is highly recommended if you’re having trouble making friends as a trans person. Keep in mind that you are not the only one; there are others who are just like you.
