I'm in the process of getting certified to be a nurse in New Zealand. Fuck this country.

You are correct, this is not new, nor does it bring any new information to light.

My guess is he wants to live forever because he feels he has made no contribution to the world, or does not feel a sense of fulfillment and purpose from raising his family. Maybe he feels cracking the secret could be his contribution, or maybe he thinks he can find meaning in his life, given enough time.

Our party? Democrats are no more my party than Republicans are. They are objectively the better option for someone like me given the alternative, but in no way do they represent me. They are just another element of the capitalist corporate hegemony, and I'm just a consumer to them.

It's hard to move out of the states, and my degree isn't a high enough level to let me get a work visa in my current field.

I don't think it helps the manager I reported to doesn't work with trans patients, and I only saw her when I needed something (like an IT request). Definitely put her subconscious interpretation of me as "someone needy".

Congratulations! You're first visit should be pretty chill. They should talk to you about how long you've felt this way, if you've taken any steps to transition, a health history, and if they're good, they will ask about your support system.

They should go over all the potential risks and effects of feminizing hormone therapy, including what's 'permanent', how long changes take. You should also be open if you smoke/vape - it won't preclude you from taking E, but if you smoke you shouldn't take it orally.

You should have some labs drawn for baseline levels. Usually they check estrogen, testosterone, a complete metabolic panel, a complete blood count, and they should probably do prolactin and a lipid panel (lipid is a fasting panel ideally, but if you're not used to having your blood taken make sure you eat something before the visit).

You can usually start the medications before getting your labs back, unless you have a medical history that warrants waiting, although that's kind of up to the prescriber.

Visits should be every 3 months the first year, then 6 months the second year, and them yearly. You may need slightly more frequent visits if you change the route of your medication, or if you're labs aren't in the goal range.

It's important to look into minority stress and see if they have any resources or groups they can connect you with. Trans folks have higher rates of mental illness - that's not because there is something inherently wrong with us. It's because we live in a society that can be very hostile to us, even in places that are considered progressive. Start working on resilience now, and try not to do it alone. It's a lot.

Finally, my personal recommendation is to look into voice lessons, especially if you are not socially out. Not only is it rewarding to have your voice reflect who you really are, having the space to try out your identity, name, pronouns, presentation, etc. in a safe and affirming space can be just wonderful. It really helped me figure some things out when I wasn't sure exactly where my path would lead.

And, in the ancient wisdom of our people, just remember - you got this.

Yeah, I was going to give this a watch, but 6 hours? I think I got the main points from the synopsis.

I love to rag on Star Wars as much as any salty millennial, but fucking get on with it.

💛

I'm right there with you. I'm actively trying not to have sex with anyone and the game makes it hard just to talk to them sometimes, and even then the 'non-horny' option is often borderline horny or could be a double entendre.

I'm trans and work in Healthcare, and I often just queer as a catch all phrase instead of using the whole acronym. It's easier to say and most queer folk are not offended by it.

That being said, I try to use the specific group names when I am personally talking to patients, as I think it's empowering to hear them in a way that doesn't assign normative value.

I did acrylic nails for the first time, and I can barely stop looking at my hands! It's amazing how much more feminine they look with just a little extra length