I think as a number of the forum users here are undergoing or have had FFS that it was time we had a serious look at this issue and people describe their experiences outcomes costs and how they organised their travel and/or found the money to do it.
The whole issue of the what makes a female look like a female is it seems a question of measurements. Dr Douglas Ousterhout was defiantly the pioneer in this field. And there are many good examples that people have written about including Kate Craig-Wood 1 2.
FFS is expensive, for the full package (which seems to be the way DrDO works) you will not get any change out of £25,000 ($42,000 Dollars US)and you need to add flights to that. Clearly for Kate who was/is a millionaire, this was not a problem and I suspect many an envious transwoman has taken a look at her picture on Google and sighed.
Confidence and pass-ability
To quote Gok Wan, "Girlfriend it's all about the confidence!"
The usual argument regarding confidence is, "yeah that's all very well but if you are being read all the time," all the confidence in the world will not help.
We can look to other groups that may have been disadvantaged facially and perhaps see some really strong people who can make our 'little annoyances' trivial by comparison.
http://www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/ambassadors/
Nevertheless, perhaps if they could click their fingers they would try and sort it out too, Katie Piper herself is proof of that, she wants to be how she used to be and is undergoing numerous operations until she makes it. If she was happy with her appearance then just stop?
So we all want to look our best from older people to young girls looking at posters of their female idols (Cheryl Cole, Katie Perry or Beyonce) on the walls of their bedroom - none of whom are 'ugly'.
But looking at the ambassadors on that page we can see something interesting, that despite their injuries they can still be gendered in one glance.
Transgender people
The key therefore is not so much 'attractiveness' (which is very subjective anyway) but rather 'passing'. Some pass some don't, some vary; what I see as attractive transgender women can be read by others?! Uh?
Gay men say they have a 'gaydar' I think Humans have a 'trandar' full stop! It is something at the very core of our evolution. When some are 'fooled' it questions their sexuality and of course can lead to violence. So some that pass maybe putting themselves at increased risk. As they are more likely to flirt and smooch and enjoy the moment, but sooner or later the 'news' has to be delivered.
Whereas someone who does not pass as well it is clear from the outset that if a person fancies them then they are on to a winner!
I recently wrote a mega post on Celebrity and Trans Currency here.
In that I concluded that the more attractive and passable one is, the greater their currency to the media, and the more high-profile they become as a result (but only for a short time unless they have a talent to continue the interest).
However, the paradox is that the more attractive and more visible they become, the more they are recognised for being trans. We end up with situations like this.
It now makes no difference how beautiful she is, Jenna Talackova will always be known as 'that transgender model'. The same could apply here too and she never even needed FFS as she and Jenna never even had a male puberty! And even Kate Craig-wood is now known as 'that transsexual business woman', despite spending in excess of £50,000 pounds on her new look.
So there is this situation where you want to look and pass as a woman, but maybe not too much where it in itself becomes a newsworthy story - unless you want it to be?
So back to FFS...
What do you think about it, its cost, have you had it? Did it make a difference, or was it just for a boost to your self-esteem?
The forehead seems to be the key area, with hairline brought forward and a nose-job, but some need chin and cheeks too? That said I have noticed 'bio-women' with some eyebrow bumps. And they can become more pronounced with age either through menopause or just loss of elasticity in the skin as we age.
Obviously cost is down to the amount you need doing.
I have often thought that FFS should be what Charing cross should be doing and do the GRS privately, as after all, everyone sees your face, who sees your genitals?
After all with a good face that passes you can earn a living and get a job, if you do not pass you end up on the peripheries of society miserable.That said Grayson Perry and Eddie Izzard could both clearly afford to have it but do not - and that is interesting too!
Should FFS (at least some NHS version of it be available?) as it is not about 'beauty' it is about passing as a woman. Else what is the point?
If you are lucky enough to pass without it good for you
. But there is always something we want 'doing'.Be glad to hear your thoughts on the whole idea.
Pete Burns
