British Citizen

A mere two weeks after sending off my application, I have just received my new biometric passport, correct name, correct gender, and a picture that looks like me again. I looked at the new and the old passports together to compare, what a weird feeling, was that really me, a previous life perhaps, a former existence? Just seeing my old name written down seems weird now, let alone official documentation complete with mug-shot. They say no-one likes their passport photo, and I was always a good example of that, but now, for the first time ever, I do; I’m proud of it. I am proud to have a real identity at last, one that I can actually relate to, one that seems to fit.

I had a letter from Charing Cross to explain that I was transsexual, apparently happy living in this role, and requesting that a passport be issued in the appropriate gender, I’m not sure if this letter is absolutely necessary, but this along with my change of name deed meant there were no questions asked. I am now officially female wherever in the world I go. Just hope I don’t get strip-searched before I have my SRS.

Now I have a passport, I want to use it! Where could I go, hmmm…? Maybe I should save my money, or maybe I will go away for a few days, just because I can. Haven’t been abroad for years, might be nice to get away for a change of scene. But then hopefully Thailand won’t be so far away, time-wise that is!

It’s kind of nice to be "official", some sort of validation I guess, proof that I am a real person, genuinely female. Mum and I are going out to dinner tonight, not for any particular reason, but I will treat it as a celebration of my official identity. A toast, to Lucy Diamond, official British Citizen!

xx