830 words | 4 minutes | Originally published 2022-08-06 | This story is featured in the EMPTIED SPACES anthology!
"I'm sorry, ma'am, your application has been denied."
W-what? That couldn't be right! You'd been planning this for years, everything for this moment, and-
"Your record shows a history of a variety of mental illness - namely, autism, depression, and prior gender dysphoria. As a result, we cannot approve your procedure. Please accept our sincerest apologies; you may reapply at a future date with approval from three therapists."
This wasn't the policy a year ago! What happened‽
"I'm sorry, ma'am, administration updated our policies after media pressure from former dolls regretting conversion. A significant portion of our funding was diverted to fund research for un-converting people."
People. You weren't people, you've known that since you turned 18. No one treated you like a person until it was convenient to deny you your happiness and your identity.