Friday, March 12, 2010
Canadian minor skips “gender clinics,” gets post office box for hormones |
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My page on obtaining transsexual hormones as a minor is written primarily for a US audience, but the same information can be used in Canada with a little planning and assertiveness.
I just can’t tell my mom. She sometimes seems to be on a emotional precipice, and I fear me telling her I’m someone completely different would be far too much for her. She still cries at times over the loss of her father, two years later.
I live in Canada (Montreal) and just called my local Canada Post office with regards to post office boxes… I intend to order hormones and anti-androgens from 1drugstore online. But I was greeted by a very French man at the desk saying they do not rent post office boxes to minors, only to those over 18. Eeek! What do I do next! And Canada Post is very vague on their website; I can’t seem to find a form like the one you supply on your website. It’s very frustrating, I have a cell phone, all the ID, and a very generous sum willed to me by my grandparents. But without the box, I’m stuck… and unfortunately (fortunately) I absolutely would not pass for 18, even with a fake ID. People have repeatedly informed me I look about 14 (I do look a bit feminine, partly because of my longish hair). However, I can produce two distinct voices: one I never use and hate with a passion, my guy voice, and my normal talking voice, which is rather androgynous. I really can’t afford to wait any longer, I just hit 5’6” and my facial hair, although concealable as of now, is just starting to darken over my lip. I should have started a year and a half ago when my voice started dropping and shoulders got a bit wider, but you can’t change the past.
So if I can’t really bypass the Canada Post rules, what can I do? Is it possible a different outlet would have a different policy?
My reply:
You might consider a private mailbox service at UPS, FedEx or other non-chain option (look online in your area). They might be able to assist you.
About a week later, I got this response:
I just thought I would let you know- today I was successful in obtaining a post office box! :D Perhaps you may want to add on your “obtaining a post office box for minors” page, unfortunately, Canada is quite uptight about renting them to minors.
I called Canada Post customer service, and after being put on hold three times in 20 minutes, the guy on the other end found (from his manager) that they have a country-wide policy to not rent PO boxes to minors. I was going to try UPS next, but I had a feeling to try the other Canada Post nearby. I put aside my actual me to seem older, using a more male voice, and that probably helped. I had all my ID, cash, bank card, and confidence, and once he handed me a form I thought it would be easy- then he asked me for ID. He looked at the birthdate on my Medicare, asked me my age, and then told me he couldn’t rent PO boxes to minors. But being so close I had no intention of giving up. I said there was nothing on their site that indicated that. From your suggestions on your site I said it was for a business, though when he still seemed unconvinced, I dragged out my balance book from my bank. I motioned to the several-figure number in the latest entry, and implied my business had generated that revenue (I’ve never been a spender by any means). He believed me and gave in. Then I paid, thanked him, tested the key, and left. I could barely contain myself…
Thanks so much Andrea for all your suggestions, and you were right, it went very smoothly having different types of ID (bank book in my name).
Further reading:
http://www.tsroadmap.com/early/transsexual-hormones.html
This is talk, not advice. See Terms of Use for details.