Evelyn

Gender: Female

Pronouns: She / Her / Hers

Evelyn came out as trans to her parents in June or July of 2017. Evelyn says they were very supportive of her pursuing a transition. After this, she started wearing feminine clothing and pronouns to affirm her gender identity. Evelyn says this process felt relieving, like it was what she was meant to be and supposed to be doing.

When reflecting on her childhood, Evelyn says she remembers telling her mum that she wanted to be a girl. She also remembers starting puberty and feeling really uncomfortable in her body. Evelyn says at the time she thought this puberty that I’m going through isn’t right for me That is when she was able to affirm her gender identity to herself.

Evelyn’s social transition partly happened during school. She says she had to contact the school and set up a meeting about what was going to happen and what things needed to change (e.g. toilets and changing rooms). This all happened before half-term, and once Evelyn got back from the holiday her name and pronouns had been changed on the register. She says some of the teachers only got her name wrong a couple of times, and when they did they immediately corrected themselves.

Evelyn decided she wanted to pursue a medical transition so that she could look more feminine and feel more comfortable in her body. She was able to be referred to the gender identity development service through her GP. Evelyn said this process was hard and then also it felt kind of helpless Once referred to the gender identity service, Evelyn was on a waiting list for about nine to twelve months. She says she felt helpless after a few months once puberty started progressing more. When she was prescribed puberty blockers she felt that they were ineffective due to having been through a significant portion of puberty.

Evelyn says to health professionals to listen to trans people, and to listen to what they want. To teachers, she says respect people’s pronouns even if you do not understand the trans identity landscape yourself. Finally, Evelyn says to parents to listen to your child, do not try to second guess them, and try to give them the help and support they need.

Evelyn shares her feelings when she started to hit puberty. She realised, “I don’t want to be a boy, I am a girl”.

Age at interview 14

Evelyn talks about the emphasis placed on fertility preservation by GIDS before starting blockers and her experience of this.

Age at interview 14

Evelyn says GPs should understand the urgency’ of trans healthcare for young people going through puberty.

Age at interview 14

Evelyn’s mum talks about the issues she’s had changing her name.

Age at interview 14

Evelyn shares how her GP surgery refused a shared care agreement which meant that she couldn’t proceed.

Age at interview 14

Evelyn talks about accessing puberty blockers and feeling “helpless” to the “irreversible changes” of puberty.

Age at interview 14

Evelyn talks about her experience with GIDS including the assessment process and the appointments.

Age at interview 14