Heyas...Emi Briet here....I used to be an Innvestments member from
January to June 1998

I saw the item in the May newsletter about transition. As a former
member of Innvestments about to reach her SRS date in a couple
months......there were some things I took issue with....

> Don't get SRS until Electrolysis is completely done

Why not? I haven't been able to afford electrolysis/lasering since I
moved off-Cape, but you know, I'm also sick and tired of being pre-op.
I want the SRS out of the way ASAP so I don't have to worry
about...IT....anymore. -.- The above is therefore not a
dried-in-the-wool rule. I'll get my lasering after SRS...

> Start Electrolysis before Hormones

Again.....why not? Besides, the hair kills quicker AFTER one starts
HRT, albeit the procedure being more painful. But I'll take a quicker
kill over less pain anytime!

> Take your time! 5 years is reasonable. One year is much too fast!

My best friend went from starting psychotherapy to SRS in 18 months and
she's doing just fine, thank you very much.

> Get voice lessons before SRS

Not all of us need them in the first place...

> Health insurance does not cover cosmetic or "elective" surgery

Actually in Minnesota, insurance comapnies aren't allowed to treat SRS
as an "elective" or "cosmetic" surgery, and two of the largest insurers
here (Health Partners, Medica) do insure for SRS on a case-by-case basis.

As I tell so many who are starting out.... Transition is a very
personal journey, and only the one doing the transition knows when is
the proper time to take the next step (HRT and SRS being the
exceptions). There is no set "roadmap" for transition. Other than HRT
and SRS, don't think you HAVE to do this before that or that you HAVE to
do that before this....I know from experience that it just doesn't work
that way....