I feel that they watched me suffer for ten years, they still have not helped me get any treatment. I am only lucky that I have a good support network and that I was recently employed by a trans person who was able to provide me with a work environment and make my life function. Not only was the GIC absolutely no help, it was extremely damaging. I still suffer from psychological symptoms brought on by my dealings with the clinic, including depression and becoming non-verbal in stress situations or situations when something is given to me. I believe this is due to being promised medication, given medication, and having it taken away from me. Every time I felt that something was moving forward it was taken away. For ten years. There were times I was completely suicidal and hopeless and still no help was given.
The GIC has given and taken away medication from me on two occasions. They have been extremely invasive and interested in my sexual orientation, well above any interested in my well being. They eventually agreed to help me, stating that they reason they did not help me in the previous ten years (of constant begging for help on my part) was that "I am not typical". At no point is 'typical-ness' outlined in any literature on the subject regarding gender transition with regard to giving or not giving treatment. In my view this is a complete disgrace and the practitioners involved do not provide a decent service with their current level of knowledge and ideologies regarding gender and women in particular.
Even though I have been cleared for hormone therapy and given funding for electrolysis I have not been able to access any of these treatments.
"Charring Cross GIC"
About: West London NHS Trust / Gender Identity Clinic West London NHS Trust Gender Identity Clinic Southall W6 8QZ
Posted by BarrettQuackery (as ),
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