I recently (January '22) changed my first and middle name, and it was both a lot easier than I thought...and a bit more tedious than expected.

The easier part was getting the initial document from the judge stating my name was legally changed. All I had to do was go in, write out a statement (they said they weren't doing in-person court hearing bcuz COVID), and pay the fee ($200). Once I got that court order, I could go elsewhere.

The more tedious bit came later. The Social Security office was not open for in-person, only over the phone, and that took an additional two-ish weeks to get my new card; I had to physically go in and alter my tax records for the name change to take; and I had to take my spouse with me to our bank just to change my name on our acct.

Just go in prepped to do legwork but lemme tell ya: it's worth it. 😋

Missouri Medicaid already pays for my injectables, progesterone, finesteride, whatever so I am not sure what you mean. My friends tell me I have a passing voice when I am not putting in too much effort but talking freely but to me I am unable to hear this quality about it, so I'm on the wait list for MSUs speech pathology clinic. Voice therapy which is also provided free.

Both Planned parenthood and Aids Project of the Ozarks has a grant program or resuced cost program for the uninsured and poor as well for free for appointments like to do blood work.

There is already a free path to transition. You might not be aware of that though, because Missouri has tried to hide the fact they expanded Medicaid and updated its trans policies from 2019 to be aca compliant and I have thought about challenging the state to pay for srs, because the ACA says they should have to cover that too

I also blogin fringe trans spaces about legal stuff regarding trans rights. The aclu and Equality federation and many more advocacy and legal groups are dismantling these unconstitutional laws passed by states legislatures as quickly as the courts can move. they have already won battles like in West Virginia in Texas. Either overturning bills completely or blocking them with a court injunction

In 2020 the Supreme Court (the same that overturned Roe) affirmed we are a protected class of people and indebted civil rights. The Republicans are passing entirely illegal laws at the state level which should be automatically superceded by the federal gov.

Biden administration and cabinet have used various instruments of the executive department to probe states and their bureaus with inquiries.

I'd go on but I'm tired

I don't sympathize with suicide, though there are days I feel like it would be easier to just not exist sometimes. I can empathize with the struggle though, and if you ever need to talk to someone or grab coffee just for some like minded company, I'm always happy to help! I hope this March, not in Springfield, but the national level, brings attention and help to those that struggle so badly that death seems preferable than struggling to achieve what could be easily accessible and affordable health care

No I still want to kill myself just less often and more functional than before. I am convinced the only day ill.be free of my body is when I die and I find some degree of comfort knowing I will one day.

Sorry to be a doomer but it's terminal for me and my bodily dysphoria is that bad some days. Gender Dysphoria and Body Dysmorphia have seemingly controlled most of my life and I have reclaimed some of it back. Some days I feel very confident and happy, but others I'm afraid that if people see me or hear my voice without training for hours that morning that I will mess it up. Sometimes I don't speak at all.

I know that I can pass with a small bit of effort with hair, because I do get clocked female by strangers quite often unless I have shadow. But some days I will like panic that something is wrong and my partner will tell me I look the same as yesterday but I have some irrational fear of being more masculine than I am presenting.

You could say I'm mentally ill I guess in less words. 🤔

But, I did just get a second job to save for surgeries and get an apartment. I hope I am no longer homeless by may, but you know, idk :(

Yes

I'm so ready for hell 💜 you look wonderful! I hope the hormones help you feel so much better!

The first year can be hell. I'm at 15 months

https://imgur.com/a/JmMCjSG

Edit; The left picture is me either pre transition or very early transition (first 3 months) the right is just one if my favorite pictures of myself and it's from January? I think. In case anyone is confused what this is. You'll notice the left one is stamped with a grinder water mark. That's because I did not like to take pictures of myself pretransition and actively avoided it so I don't have many pictures to compare myself too now.

Should I expect a hearing or anything? I haven't been able to find any good information for what to expect after filing all of the required forms.

I'm hoping a peaceful protest means no bullets. Looking at the news lately, these events are definitely attracting a lot of people with guns, and that's scary. A few Proud Boys videos cropping up of them literally doing a sieg heil chant and saluting. It's insanity that the far right is after their own people so heavily that they're stooping to emulating what was fought so hard to stop in WW2.

It’s immediate if you file the form yourself. Typically takes a few days to process.

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I'm starting hormones on the 25th for my own trans journey, so seeing a trans person have something stolen stuck out to me!

Lol no I just got a replacement sometime later. I'm surprised you remembered who I am though (((o_o)))

Thank you! Best of luck for your housing situation! I think I saw something about you having a solar panel stolen at some point, hope that was resolved!

Connecting Ground's associated church too. Disciples of Christ is the denomination I believe. If that happens to also be Brentwood then that would make sense, because their socials have lgbt stuff on them. CG Iis my out reach and I chose them over the others because of their lgbt inclusive message.

I'm a homeless trans woman in Springfield so I guess I'll go if I don't have work. I work 2 jobs tho :<

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There’s probably a self represent form of the Missouri website. Filing fee is $137 or so.

I should have thought of them!

Unitarian church on battlefield and unity on Seminole (there’s a second location maybe?)

Thank you for the suggestion!

I would definitely contact Brentwood Church. They are very active in this community and actively stand behind the LGBTQ+ community, and if nothing else I imagine would be aware of any activity going on regarding this.

If anyone is interested in marching, I'd love to hear from you all so we can collaborate!

Every ally is invited! People are the only power to oppose these bills, so I hope you'll be part of it!

Same process as total name change.

No. I just have a lot of experience with the paperwork.