I need some advice and help. I'm a 30 year old single male starting my transition to MTF transsexual. I was accepted to a BSN program and start my clinicals in Fall '09. And might have a problem when it comes time for me to start living full time as a female. The problem with my school is that it is a private Christian school. I chose this particular school because it has one of the best nursing programs in the city. And I am transitioning while still in school because i've been informed that universities and colleges will not change names on students records AFTER you have finished a program regardless of a legal name change. It must be changed while you are in college or before graduation.
I'm not sure of how the school will deal with me transitioning. I've been told by nurses I work with who are former students of the same college that I won't be put out explicitly or overtly for being transgender, but they will do their best to ride me out of the program.
What should I do? I can't put off my transition because there are set times and accomplishments you are supposed to keep in order to transition properly. My job is not a problem, they will allow me to transition on the job.
I never said that the school WOULD put me out, but there is the potential for negativity and adverse reactions. On the whole, I don't really think there would be a negative reaction.
As far as downing Christians, that is not in me. Eventhough I've had too many bad experiences with Christians as a whole, I don't see that as the entire spectrum of Christian behavior. You have people of all races, cultures, religions and genders who's behavior is bad. It's not the population that's at fault, but the individual. But they have made me leery of the Christian faith, which has in turn made me lose faith.
I listened to ignorance from Christians at work yesterday. My boss was saying that Ellen Degeneras(sp?) was not a role model for today's youth, being that she was not "moral". I asked why wasn't she a role model...he stated "God created Adam and Eve....not Adam and Archie". Then another coworker said she was off her game because of something else Ellen did. And I asked her what it was. I think it was about gay marriage. She went on to expound about "The Word" and abomination. I just looked at her and went back into my office.
So, it's not Chrisitans as a whole that are not accepting, it's the individual. I'm mature enough to know this. Eventhough I don't claim to be a Christian, I do have faith in Him. I've lost it along the way, and found it again in the last few years. I'm trying to develop a deeper understanding and relationship with Him.
Ellen Degeneres isn't moral?!?! Are you kidding me??? She is one of the kindest, most giving, down to earth people I have ever seen. She is a great role model for not just the gay population but everyone. I, as a straight married woman, love her to death! I would have loved to tell your boss where to go and how to get there :argue:
Good luck in school! I posted a couple pages back and haven't been following this thread as well as I would like to. When do you start?
Just a random fact about a catholic hospital near me, if you have insurance through them, they won't even cover scripts for birth control....
Hi! Just my 2cents, I'm with Daytonite, "don't ask, don't tell" But it does sound like you are trying to cover your bases and do this in the most organized, seamless way possible.....on another quick note, love God, love your neighbor. Do not let the ignorance of others shake your faith. whether it's Jesus, Allah, Budda. you need your faith now more than ever, (just wait til you start nursing classes!) there are churches out there who will accept you and support you, you may even find people who can help you navigate how to proceed with the school. Good luck, and God bless!
Maybe someone already asked this, I didn't have time to read the whole thread. Can't you just go ahead and change your legal name now and simply inform people to refer to you as that name or a nickname if the new name is going to be very recognizably female?
Example: Your name now is Fred Flintsone. Your new name will be Wilma Flintstone. Refer to me as Will. Your new name will be Christina. Refer to me as Chris.
Hi! Just my 2cents, I'm with Daytonite, "don't ask, don't tell" But it does sound like you are trying to cover your bases and do this in the most organized, seamless way possible.....on another quick note, love God, love your neighbor. Do not let the ignorance of others shake your faith. whether it's Jesus, Allah, Budda. you need your faith now more than ever, (just wait til you start nursing classes!) there are churches out there who will accept you and support you, you may even find people who can help you navigate how to proceed with the school. Good luck, and God bless!
Maybe someone already asked this, I didn't have time to read the whole thread. Can't you just go ahead and change your legal name now and simply inform people to refer to you as that name or a nickname if the new name is going to be very recognizably female?
Example: Your name now is Fred Flintsone. Your new name will be Wilma Flintstone. Refer to me as Will. Your new name will be Christina. Refer to me as Chris.
Maybe I'm being naive? Just a thought.
@jkfickle....Yes, i'm trying to do this is the most organized and seamless way possible. I don't want to cause waves on the job, in my personal life or in my academic endeavors. The job and personal life are not really posing any real problems. It's the school situation that is making me sweat.
Oh, I know there are churches that will support GLBT people. I forgot the name of the one here in Memphis, but I am aware of it. I also belong to a Transgender support group, which I haven't been able to go to much lately.
@lainith.....LOL, that has been mentioned already. And it isn't quite that simple, eventhough other's try to make it so. I've already decided to speak with my Psych instructor to get his/her assessment of the situation as well as speaking with the school counselor to feel her/him out. I've already decided on an androgynous sounding name.
I don't know how many are still following this post, but I have some encouraging news. I finally got up enough courage to talk to someone in administration and the conversation was actually quite positive and upbeat. I was given to understand it is not the school's policy to inquire into students sexuality or gender. And it should be no problem for me to transition. I'm still waiting to hear the final news, this person was going to check with other's in administration to make sure their surmise was correct.
I was going to post a word of encouragement---I have a dear friend whose Father made the transition---and he was a professor at a private Christian University! They were very accepting of his choice! So, it can definitely happen and it looks like it's going very well for you! Best of luck.
I was going to post a word of encouragement---I have a dear friend whose Father made the transition---and he was a professor at a private Christian University! They were very accepting of his choice! So, it can definitely happen and it looks like it's going very well for you! Best of luck.
Well, I got a definitive answer to the question I asked of my school's administration. The answer was a negative. So I'll be transfering out of the program as soon as I can.
kat von b
258 Posts
Ellen Degeneres isn't moral?!?! Are you kidding me??? She is one of the kindest, most giving, down to earth people I have ever seen. She is a great role model for not just the gay population but everyone. I, as a straight married woman, love her to death! I would have loved to tell your boss where to go and how to get there :argue:
Good luck in school! I posted a couple pages back and haven't been following this thread as well as I would like to. When do you start?
Just a random fact about a catholic hospital near me, if you have insurance through them, they won't even cover scripts for birth control....