I am under the care of Leeds Gender Identity Services, who created the document below. I first saw this document two years ago when discussing the fact that I had been wrongfully discharged with the Operational Manager there, and asked to be sent what documentation they currently had for explaining the process of the care pathway.
These are the flow diagrams contained within the above document - not exactly the clearest explanation, or most accessible formatting! As someone with Irlen Syndrome (Visual Processing Disorder) I had to open the document in word and change the colours of the boxes so I could read them, the green one being a particularly bad blurred mess to me as it is, with the pink and yellow feeling very bright and glaring to look at, I can't make out the white text on it.
The document contains a paragraph explaining most boxes, but its basic information and not the most informative as to what is involved and who it is available to. Despite receiving this document a while black, I only looked at the flow diagrams (visuals) rather than the text, and so until now I did not realise voice therapy was available for anyone. Voice therapy is available to support a person wanting to achieve a masculine, feminine, or even a non-binary voice, and Leeds GIS actually have 3 voice therapists available. Should I reflect this is in the map, and have 3 seperate lines?
Laser hair removal is NHS funded only up to the value of 8 sessions, and liaise with a specific list of providers that they’ll recommend you to after the approval for funding has been confirmed.
Named Professional appointments are every 6 months, do I schedule them on the map in a way that reflects this? Have that as a continuous running line throughout?
The flow diagrams label top surgery as assessment for chest reconstruction, and the paragraph labels it as upper surgery, both of which do not specify whether it is creating a more masculine or feminine appearing chest - its only when you rest the paragraph it becomes apparent that having you’re desired chest created through surgery is only available to those wishing to masculinise their chest by having breast tissue removed, as opposed to breast implants.
On the one hand, I understand that it is harder and more physically (and of course mentally) demanding to flatten your chest, possibly in ways that restrict your breathing or cause damage to your back or lungs. Whereas stuffing bras and wearing stick on prosthetics, to create the appearance of breasts through clothing, is a far easier way to create the desired appearance through clothing - compared with trying to compress tissue in a way that looks like it isn't there, forming lumps and bumps. However, this doesnt make the fact that it is not available through the NHS right, as it is a for less complicated, and widely popular surgery to have breast enhancements, so why isn’t it? Just because its widely available, doesnt make it accessible thanks to the cost element. I want to make this clear on the map, and some how include it in a way that highlights it is not available through the NHS but that it is a treatment option.
Lower surgery is available to all, but should I separate it into two sections? Is it reconstructing a persons genitalia in a way that reflects that of either a female’s or male’s at birth, or adding elements of either/both in a way that reflects their inner feelings towards the gendering of their genitals?
This document has given me a lot to think about, thats for sure!!
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