I’m 15 and from the time I was 8 years old I had the feeling something was wrong with my body. I now know I want an operation to become a girl, because I feel awful. What should I do?

If you are living in the Netherlands you should go to the Gender Team of the Academic Hospital in Utrecht (030-2508141). They are specialized in this subject. They have met hundreds of guys and girls with the same problem. You can talk with them to find out what you should do. There are also groups you can participate in, meeting others who have the feeling their body doesn’t fit their sense of identity. For more information you can call the Study Group Transexuality (0346-353495). They come together in Amsterdam two times a month. It’s possible to bring your parents to these meetings. If you live outside the Netherlands you might look on internet to see if there are any support groups in your neighbourhood who can help you to make the next move. You’ll feel better if you talk with others about this problem and discover you are not the only one who has to deal with it.