User:Philippa (Pippa) Jones

My "MX" title experience.

This is my very first-time contribution to Wikipedia, so I just hope things are in the right place. First, may I introduce myself. I am now Miss Philippa Gwladys Aneuryn Megan Jones, a pre-op transsexual woman, born male in June 1946. What has prompted myself to post this into Wikipedia was that at the time of writing my application for my Gender Recognition Certificate has be put on hold, the reasons for which involve my use of the “Mx” title.

A condition for obtaining a GRC, is that one must have lived in the gender of choice for at least two years, and provide evidence to support this, such as passport, driving licence, utility bills, etc. My application has been put on hold as my driving licence and most utility bills, bear the title “MX”.

To get a clear definition of the “Mx” title I logged onto Wikipedia for clarification, but found it lacking in area which I felt it should support, as I feel the title also applies to pre-op transsexuals on their journey towards and prior to surgery.

On the application for my first deed poll name change back in 2011, I phoned the deed poll office, to ask if I could use “Ms” as my title, and I was advised that I could use “Mx” which seemed to be the most suitable, and honest title for me to use. I still passionately believe that I should still carry this title today, I am a pre-op transsexual, so gender-neutral, third sex, or whatever do not really apply, and are not something I am familiar with.

I feel that the use of “Miss” prior to either Gender Reassignment Surgery or having one’s gender changed by your Gender Recognition Certificate, is living a lie, and all my adult life I have tried to be honest with people. I do feel that all applicants for a G.R.C. that have not already undergone their gender reassignment, should all have the choice, without prejudice of using the “Mx” title prior to its issue.

I was proud, and still would be proud to use Mx, for me I was simply making the statement that I was passing through a transition stage in my life, just as “Miss” is for the young girl journey to “Mrs”.

Once explained to most people who were unaware of the “Mx” title, they applaud my honesty, I even had a lady called Davina, manageress of the Dorchester branch phone here head office while I was with her, to insist that they change the system so she could change my title on my account, and then called me over weeks later, to say she had added £25 to my account for pointing it out to them. My use of Mx was simply to carry me through a transition in my life, I have never had thoughts of being of a third sex, or gender neutral. I have always since 2011, prefer to be addressed as madam by people I encounter.

My case worker, who has since left, did warn me that the panel might have an issue with this, and advised me to make the changes reflected in my last deed poll, which I did reluctantly. I originally phoned the HM Courts and Tribunals Service in Leicester, and was sent the GRC forms early in 2015. I recall a long conversation, but was never advised about the complication of using the “Mx” title.