Part of my CAMH letter asked for "
any other current "Gender Role Experience documents; such as legal name change; school transcripts; work records or volunteer letters" so here it goes ...
Where I live the Ontario Office of the Registrar General, the government ministry/agency that deals with official records including birth, death, identification marriage, identity and any changes there of. Therefore, as of 28 March 2013, I am officially petitioning the Registrar General to change my name from Sean to Jacquelyn Sonya. It might sound silly, but my hands were shaking during the affirmation (being Pagan, I preferred not to swear on the Bible) and during the mailing of the package (all 20 pages).
Since part of the process involves notification and since I was married (been separated since '98), I have to notify my ex - who I don't think had any clue ... so I decided to pre-emptedly come out to her, before she receives the letter.
"<<Ex's Name>>,
Years ago I went through a severe depression (right
around the time of the custody hearings) and I started exploring who I
really am. I went through meditation, soul searching and much more. It
literally took years.
I reached out for help, did research, more soul searching and much more.
This
is hard to talk about, especially since it doesn't directly effect you -
not to be rude. But it effects me and it does effect my relationship
with <<daughter's name>>. I am asking that you not tell <<daughter's name>>, it is important to me that
I AM THE ONE ... plus it is etiquette not to "out" someone.
I know you were not open-minded to various types of people.
At
first I was wondering if I was "gay", but this wasn't right. I started
"cross dressing" occasionally, but again not quite right.
On May
24th I am getting my "official" diagnosis as Gender Dysphoria. It is
also known as Gender Identity Disorder. Essentially one is born into
the body of the wrong sex - my mental gender does not match my physical
body. I am working on changing my physical being to reflect my mental
image.
I am sending you acknowledgement of my application for
name change. (parts removed for privacy)
Sean ********"
I haven't had any reply, but I can just imagine the language of the reply ... *giggles It's a good thing that she just gets a notification and that she doesn't have to approve it. We have spoken since ~2001, and only recently since she is having some problems that effected our daughter.
Any ways, back to the paperwork ... I can't wait till I get the "official" reply, and I just hope I don't get a delay, as I would LOVE to bring this document with my CAMH meeting. I am taking of the breaks and starting to move into high gear ...
