Hi, my name is Rachael,

I’m 57 years old, and I only began living openly as the woman I’ve always known myself to be in 2023. My journey here has been long and painful. I knew from around age five that my gender didn’t match the one I was being forced into, but my childhood was filled with abuse—sexual, physical, and emotional. Later, I became part of a church community that denied my identity and pushed me to seek “healing” instead of allowing me to live as myself.

I married, and together we adopted two beautiful children with additional needs. For years, I put my own needs aside to give them the love and stability they deserved. But once they had reached adulthood, after decades of struggling with my mental health, I finally accepted that transitioning was the only way forward for me. I began hormone treatment at the end of 2022 and socially transitioned in early 2023.

Transitioning involves not only emotional and physical change but also many practical and legal steps. I started saving for things like my Gender Recognition Certificate, updated passports and birth certificate, and the annulment of my marriage. Sadly, at the beginning of 2025, I suffered a serious relapse with my mental health and had to stop working. I had run my own accountancy business since 2017, but I’ve been unable to trade since April. With only basic benefits coming in, I’ve had to use up my transition savings just to cover essentials like food and clothing.

I’m asking for help to rebuild that “transition pot” so I can move forward and finalise my legal identity. Your support will help me secure my Gender Recognition Certificate, correct my legal documents, and cover the annulment costs.

Any funds beyond those needs will go directly towards future medical or surgical costs connected with my transition.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me closer to being fully recognised and able to live as my true self.

With love and gratitude,

Rachael