introductions 🌻

hey! i'm jamie. thanks for stopping by - i'm new here and i don't really know how this works. all i know is that i want to share my story and hopefully connect with a few people along the way. 😊

a little bit about me: i'm a trans man, meaning i was assigned female at birth and later transitioned to male. i began my transition in 2017 and have been living as my true authentic self ever since. 🤸🏻‍♂️

here's a picture so you know what i look like 👀

i studied music and songwriting at university and then did a master's degree in cognitive neuroscience and music perception 🧠 and had the best time doing it. i worked in the NHS mental health service for just over a year and now work for an LGBTQ+ youth organisation, working to improve LGBTQ+ and trans inclusion in school, university and the workplace. i absolutely love my job. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

i'm here because i think that if you have something to say, you should say it. even if no one's listening. so this is my space to say what i want to say.

when i first transitioned, i was referred to an NHS gender clinic. just over 18 months after being referred, there were some crossed wires and i was accidentally removed from their waiting list. due to extremely poor mental health, crippling dysphoria and increasing desperation, i made the decision to pursue private healthcare. i was lucky enough that i could afford it at that time. unfortunately, my luck is running out. as the cost of living crisis hits us all, the gender clinic has raised their prices to an unprecedented level. my fear is that i'll no longer be able to afford gender-affirming healthcare in 2023.

i was re-referred to the NHS gender clinic last year, after a few bad experiences with NHS GPs and a lot of emotional turmoil. currently, that clinic is having first appointments with people who were referred in May of 2018. this means i have approximately 4 more years to wait before i'm seen on the NHS.

so, i'm here to share my story, connect with people, and possibly share some music things i've been working on, in the hope that just a few of you enjoy my content enough to buy me a coffee, and help me with my healthcare fees. i might even share some cute photos of my dog to help brighten your day (she's adorable, just look below!).

if you've read this far, thank you. i hope you're having a wonderful day and i hope you decide to pop by again later. ☀️