Going beyond transition

Tag Archives: federal

The Catch-22 of a Name Change

Posted on by Posted in transition .

As a Canadian living in the US, I face neat little challenges regularly. Red tape is a fact of life by being this kind of visitor. Now, of course, being a Canadian I am honest about what I am and what I do. I follow the rules, particularly when it comes to US Immigration et al. And so I was recently faced with the chicken and egg concept: when changing one’s name in the US, as a non-citizen, what do I change first: SSN or Passport? The answer, I figure, is passort and work visa. So I went to the TDELF to have them help me navigate the waters of the US legal system. Apparently, I’m one of the first they’ve ever had who has changed the name in the US and then gets to face the home nation and it’s red-tape.

Once all the appropriate documents were filed and once the name publication is done, I will be able to obtain my certified copies of name change (10 in all). YAY ME! So as the lawyer goes through that process, I decided to get a head start on the Canadian side of thing. I called the Ontario Registry (they look after births, deaths and marriages) and asked about how to get my birth certificate modified. They explained it, saying that all I’d need is the certified copy, a letter from a guarantor and why I was using a non-Canadian for it (i.e., have been living in the US for two years now). Simple enough. One red tape issue addressed. I then called Passport Canada.

Now things get tricky. To get the new passport I need the amended birth certificate along with a signed piece of ID. No problem right? NOT. The 2nd ID MUST have the new name. The thing is, I do not drive and have no other form of ID other than passport. So I’m kind of in a chicken-and-egg thing. In order to get State ID, I must use my passport and visa but I suspect that will only get ID that will reflect my now-old name. In order to get State ID with new name, I need my passport to reflect that and.. oh wait.. You can see the quandary I’m in. So, I think I’m going to try to see about updating my SIN card (that’s a Social Insurance Number in Canada for those of you from the US). I think I used that previously to get my passport done.

I figure the wait time for the two initial pieces of ID — birth certificate and SIN card — will take until sometime mid-November. So come January I’ll have to trek up to Toronto or Montreal or even Halifax or even Calgary (actually, maybe Montreal, Halifax or Calgary– I can visit family in any of those cities and get the NEXUS while there as well) to get the passport done. Perhaps I should also get a federal ID card while I’m at it (Canadian citizenship card, I believe they are called). I think once the SIN is done I can then do all the credit cards. And once the passport is done then I can get the US SSN done and have that reflective — FINALLY — on my work email. I’m still hopeful that a green card is in my future but if I can get all this done before the final application for that is done, then life will be good.  Whatever the process, I will be documenting it here as I have a feeling I’m not the first nor will I be the last person who has to do this.

Ain’t government process fun?? 🙂

Life or something like it (ver. 0.1)

Posted on by Posted in Daily life, Finances, Life, transition, Traveling/Work .

In some ways so much is going on and yet, it does seem, in other ways that it isn’t that important. K and I went and saw Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail. This isn’t Oscar material but dayum, was funny! I needed funny. I’m doing better and I know that Rosie is in a better place now. I do want to thank everyone for their kind words. It has been greatly appreciated. I’ve been surprised how much has flowed. I know that some people don’t consider furrkids like kids and don’t understand how someone can get upset over a little critter but we can and do. Bobcat, I suspect, is starting to go through a bit of depression. She’s finally realized she’s the only one left. She’s been loking for Rosie and is starting to realize she’s not around or coming back. Since I’ve been in my office a lot lately (getting ready for an online teach this week), she’s taken to sitting beside or behind me. She’s also taken to being talkative (more like yelling) during the night. I’m hoping that this subsides soon as it kept me up most of the night. We leave our bedroom door open for her and I’ve even tried bringing her to bed so she won’t feel alone but no go.

Transitioning still seems like it will take forever to complete or move to the next stage. Part of that has been due to a hectic work schedule. It’s hard to schedule doctor’s visits when I can’t take half-days like I used to. As an instructor, I kind of have to be there for the full day. I try to schedule around my teaching schedule but the problem then arises that the doctor only has Wednesday’s available. This means that I have to find weeks that I’m not teaching to accommodate the doctor — and that can be a pain. Right now I’m trying to get something for the first week of April — only to be told that they don’t have April’s schedule yet. As a result, I’ll likely push out any top surgery until August since my May is booking up really fast.

Adding insult to injury was the fact that for a day or two, I didn’t seem to pass. I’m not sure what it is I’m doing — although I suspect it’s a voice thing. Time will settle that down. I also need to be more conscious of how I talk. Mannerisms do make a difference. I did find a few sites that talk about how the way men and women talk differently. I need to work on that a little more. It’s usually little things like talking slower, moving hands more (it’s too cold so that’s less likely), being definitive, etc. There are some things that I don’t want to do as I classify them as disrespectful masculine behaviours (e.g., dominance of a conversation, invasion of personal space, interrupting others, etc.) but I don’t think that one is male by doing those habits. I think that’s just rude.

I have been contemplating that perhaps losing weight will help me present more male, especially if I put on more muscle. I’ve never had a desire to be super skinny but rather “stocky” muscular. For me to do that, I’d need to lose about 40-60lbs. Not a lot but certainly, not a little. I actually had started “running” (more walking than running but definitely more movement) last week. I was doing it once every 2-3 days. I should have gone today but wussed out on being too tired. I may not be able to go to GIP tonight but perhaps I’ll go to bed early and then get up early with K to go for a quick run in the morning. The one advantage of teaching in CST timezone is that it’s a little later in the morning and means I can do a bit more. It will mean teaching a bit later in the evening but that’s livable for now.

What has been interesting, in my simple opinion, is that no one challenges me on these changes — outside of immediate friends and family (even then, it’s minimal). I keep expecting someone to have issue with me and yet, I haven’t faced it. My job is very public and very much customer facing. When I travel, I deal with all sorts of security types who seem to have no issue with the fact that I don’t like exactly like my photo (my face has changed considerably since I had the picture taken in Jan 08). I might try and see if I can get my name change done soon. There may be an opportunity for me to go to Vancouver in April and if so, it might be the perfect time to get a new passport done. I’m going to go on Monday to talk with the lawyers at the name changing clinic to see what advice they can offer (since it’s free) and how I might be able to go about doing this.

There will be other travel possible — San Fran in May and possibly Orlando in April (in addiction to Vancouver). It’s actually interesting since the company said they wanted to reduce travel costs. Granted, for the first quarter (Jan-Mar) I’ve been pretty much home based. I’ve been doing lots of online and have had only one week in Chicago. The rest has been online, in city (Wall Street area) or off-platform (not teaching but “learning”).

I think I’ll also file my taxes for the US on Monday. It’s weird. I’d get a decent chunk of change back from the federal level, only to have to give a decent amount of that to the state level. And I’m not quite sure how they do this. If I owe at the state level, is it just removed from my fed refund and I get the difference or do I have to actually pay the state level? (If I actually have to pay the state level, that’s just asinine). There’s a local H&R Block here who has a tax consultant from Canada. I figure he might be a good fit for me — and maybe he can help me with Revenue Canada (who’s still dragging their feet on last year’s tax return).

Anyways, nothing too exciting but it is life, no?

Trans Activism: Transgender news articles

Posted on by Posted in trans activism .

I’ve been doing daily checks of the news to see what news, if any, is out there on trans individuals or issues facing trans individuals. I recently found these two. The first is about changes to identity laws in Europe. Now this may not have impact here but don’t be surprised if someone figures out the extra money that could be made off of trans individuals by forcing them to have one federal ID with original birth gender and one with “true” gender. One of the speakers at the NYC TDOR mentioned how in India they are trying to get a third gender, T, identified for federal items such as passports, etc. That actually has appeal to me to a degree but I know for some trans individuals this would remove their stealth abilities.

The European law makes it more difficult for most trans individuals to get proper ID and adds far more paperwork to a system already rife with it. From a security point of view, it will probably create new loopholes for abuse. Either way, it will be unpleasant and very possibly traumatic experience for more trans individuals.

Meanwhile the family of Dwight DeLee contend that he didn’t kill Teisha Cannon and that he doesn’t hate those with different sexual orientation. They continue with the belief that if he did kill it was because he was provoked or intoxicated. While I’m a strong proponent of innocent until proven guilty, I’m hesitent to accept this as is. Discovering that someone is transgendered is enough “provocation” for some to kill another. It shouldn’t be a justification or an excuse, however. Murdering someone because of who they are is just plain wrong.

Last but not least is the showing of XX Why in the Toronto Film festival. It’s an interesting look at one transguy’s journey in life in a 50 minute documentary. If you get to see it, try to.

US Politics: Say what?!

Posted on by Posted in Politics .

You know, I wonder sometimes when politicians (or their handlers) make claims that they don’t think about. My eyes went wide-eyed as I read the following from CNN:

Pressed to provide an example of what McCain had accomplished on that committee, Holtz-Eakin said the senator did not have jurisdiction over financial markets, then he held up his Blackberry, telling reporters: “He did this.”

“Telecommunications of the United States, the premiere innovation in the past 15 years, comes right through the Commerce Committee. So you’re looking at the miracle that John McCain helped create,” Holtz-Eakin said. “And that’s what he did. He both regulated and deregulated the industry.” — Sourced: CNN.com

Uh-huh.

Say what?! To make it even more incredulous, McCain can barely use a computer. I almost split a gut laughing so hard at how ridiculous all this was. If he was at least some computer geek, it’d make some sense but no, he was chair of Commerce Committee and thus, this apparently is how he created the Blackberry. I wonder if that is also how he figured that giving tax breaks of $5000 would improve health care? So I get to go broke first dealing with health issues and then perhaps, maybe, get a tax break. I probably wouldn’t need it since I’d be on welfare or worse at that point.

Anyways, the last time something like this happened was when Gore claimed he invented the internet. While McCain might have been part of the committee that made it easier for Blackberry to become persuasive in the US, he sure didn’t invent it. It is no wonder that people cannot trust politicians because they don’t seem able to be clear about the message they want to get across to their constituents. I mean, seriously, how hard is it?

As a Canadian I’m particularly irked about this since RIM (Research in Motion) is the company that actually created and invented the Blackberry. To me, this all smacks of the arrogance of McCain et al. Listening to him this morning, saying how taxing those with incomes over $200,000 isn’t necessary and that “40% of Americans aren’t paying taxes”. Really?! Then what’s coming off my paycheck, Mr. McCain??

Further, McCain went on to say that Obama’s plan would result in greater spending given his health plan and others. So, all that military spending isn’t hurting at over a trillion a year?! And this supports the middle-class and low-income workers? Taxing them more by McCain. Yes, Obama would be doing “income redistrubtion” but is that really bad? Why should only the rich have the right to buy food, health care and dream “the American dream”?

To me, McCain sounds no different than Bush. In fact, I had CNN on this morning while in the shower and as I walked out in the living room I thought it was Bush on TV (I couldn’t see who was on at the time). Quite honestly, McCain still seems to be promoting what Bush has been doing thus far and expanding it even further. To me, that will just destroy the lives of the average person and the average family. Blaming Wall Street for the recent stock market activities isn’t the answer. Helping teh average user out of this situation and given them a safety net to bet on that will be there so they won’t have to take risks let “betting” on the stock market, loans, credit cards and gambling at Hold ‘Em Poker Tournaments would be far better.

The best answer would be to remove the lies of who the average American is and who the average American isn’t. Then perhaps both candidates can really present and institute plans that’d work for all.

Now how’s that for a novel concept?

US Politics: Uh.. HUH?!

Posted on by Posted in Politics .

A long time ago, in a life far, far away, I was a conservative. Yes, I bow my head in shame on that now but eh, when your young and exploring life in university for the first time you’re open and vulnerable. In fact, they were the first to treat me as a person rather than a “fat chick”. It was a nice feeling. And granted, there were some things that I had believed in at that point: the reality that the present system just cannot support all the baby boomers about to retire, the independence of the individual and the avoidance of government forcing it’s will on others, the reality that all pay taxes (especially to support the previously mentioned baby boomers) and a few other things. I look back at it now and some things I didn’t have a clear view on. I did figure that being with the party in control would open the door into a life of diplomacy, something I believed in and still believe in. I also believed in Canada’s Peacekeeper role, where troops were often sent in-between two warring states to act as mediator (without guns sometimes) and help the locals with basic necessities.

Then life showed me how naive I really was and how a political life isn’t about making a difference. It’s about image, lies and personal gain, particularly for the status quo (to this day, this remains white males — an ironic fact that isn’t lost on me right now).

As a Canadian living in the US for the first time it’s been interesting watching the political process. I have to say that picking now to move to the US (well, actually last December but close enough) has opened my eyes some what. I’m still trying to understand it all but here’s what I get: each party elects a “leader” who will represent that party as a “presidential candidate”. That person selects their 2nd in command aka the “Veep”. This process takes almost 2 years and costs millions upon millions of dollars. It’s mind-boggling, actually. I rarely see ads here and yet, I remember seeing lots of US political ads when I was home (go figure). So, I get asked what I think about the process.

The one thing that I find fascinating is the lack of info that the average person gets. I mean, unless you actively dig at a politican’s website you won’t find out what they stand for outside of the news bites you get from CNN, Fox, et al. And let’s be real. That isn’t news. It’s just a form of advertising. There is no non-biased news that actually educates us on what the issues are, presenting both sides truly in a balanced method. That hasn’t existed EVER.

But what I found most interesting was the introduction of Sarah Palin as “Veep” for the Republicans and the “swarming” of former Democrat Clinton supports to her side.

Because she’s a woman.

Uh.. say what?! Hey, I don’t deny my past but I got a reality check that caused a major shift in the way I look at things. This isn’t the case. These women are voting for Palin (well, not really. They would be voting for McCain and he’s just bringing Palin along for the ride) because she’s a woman. That’s no better than voting for McCain because he’s a man.

Uh… this is the most important position, apparently, in this country. Shouldn’t you vote for someone who is going to do what they say and because they represent what you believe in??? I suppose it just highlights the white privilege in this nation and the desire to keep the status quo. Looking at the McCain website (or do what I did and visit here to see an abbreviated view of her views) and you can see she is a republican through-and-through: no to abortion (regardless of the reason for the pregnancy); belief in tying of religion and government (so much for separation of state, eh?); believes in Creationism and it should be taught in schools (kids go to school for an education, not religion — that should be a family thing at home); believes that global warming isn’t man-made (uh.. WHAT?! Must be them mooing cows from my last post); thinks polar bears aren’t endangered (right — we’re seeing less because they are on vacation in the Bahamas); supports NRA (just in case those endangered bears threaten, eh?); believes that health care should be market driven (compared to us “commies” up north where we get, at the least, basic health care that can be preventative); and.. well. I think you get the picture.

Add to this that you never really vote for the Veep. Now that is the thing that really gets me. Yes, McCain is old and could kick the bucket soon but I find that those that are cranky tend to have the longest lives because they have the most to bitch about (should mean I have a long life yet ahead of me). So many of Clinton’s supporters who are now switching their votes are doing so because they want to vote for Palin. But, uh, unless I’ve misunderstood something, you don’t really vote for the Veep. You vote for the Prez and they bring their running mate along.

I have no doubts that electing McCain (and thus, by proxy, Palin) would mean that I would be booted out fast (I’d imagine a few citizens would want to join me up in the land of the Snow, Hosers and Beer, eh?) since immigration and tightening of immigration seems on the plate, regardless of what one brings into the nation “founded” on immigation (let’s be real that it was founded on slavery, torture, genocide and other things but that is another blog entry for another day). And, given her views on same-sex partnerships, I have no doubts that my trans status would put me on a list of some sort to be rejected for a visa, although my being white may buy me some “grace period” or “favouritism”. I know that I wouldn’t go over as part of God’s plan (I’ve always wanted to ask someone how they know that this isn’t God’s plan but never got the opportunity).

So at this point, my view is that American politics are weird. You don’t really vote for your president and sure as hell don’t vote for your “Veep”. And it takes about 2+ years to get to here. Compare this to the 30-60 days it takes in Canada (and there you vote for your Member of Parliament, whose party may or may not be the overall winner). It’s a little more direct, IMO, compared to what’s here. At least in Canada, people vote a little more for reasons other than someone’s gender.

It’s definitely interesting to say the least from the view point of this armchair political analyst.

Verrry interesting..