Which steps can transitioning (ideally) involve?

Authors: Isabelle Melcher & Kai Jannik

Transition (latin “transire“ = to go over) means a “going over” of the expressed gender. Fortunately, there is no defined transition path. The transition is different for each person and is based on the needs of the person involved. However, health requirements, the social environment and the financial situation of the individual also play a role. Transitioning can involve social/societal, medical and legal steps. After coming out internally and becoming aware of one’s own gender identity, the following points, among others, may follow:

• Coming out to close friends and family
• Expressing the wish to be addressed by other names and/or pronouns
• External representation in the expressed gender (e.g. through clothing)
• Coming out at work or school
• Starting therapy (a requirement if you wish to undergo a medical transition)
• Legally changing your name and civil status (often a lengthy and costly process involving specialist reports and court appearances)
• Hormone replacement therapy (hormones must be taken for life to keep their effect)
• Body reassignment operations (e.g. adjustment of primary and secondary gender characteristics)

For non-binary people, some of the medical and legal steps are very difficult to reach, or may only be reached indirectly, as the system we live in is geared towards a binary gender image.