In Italy, a law has been in force since1982 enabling people who want to change their gender to seek financial assistance from the state. Anyone who decides to undergo a sex change must go through a series of examinations and psychological tests and then wait for a period of two years, in order to ensure that the commitment to the operation is serious. For some applicants, this procedure is so lengthy that they seek the help of private doctors or foreign clinics - an expensive and illegal solution. But Nicol chose the first option.