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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Life as a woman after being a man | Life as a woman after being a man |
| (5 days later) | |
| By Preeti Jha BBC News Dee Jenkins began her transition in 2008 Funding for sex change therapy | By Preeti Jha BBC News Dee Jenkins began her transition in 2008 Funding for sex change therapy |
| The Health Commission Wales recently changed its policy on funding treatment for gender dysphoria - a condition where those affected feel trapped in the body and gender role of the wrong sex. Two people with the condition describe how they feel about the decision. | |
| Miss Pearce, a social science student, has been living as a woman since 2005. It hasn't been easy. For one thing she has had to buy the hormone drugs she needs over the internet at a high cost. | |
| "I've lost contact with my immediate family. My father refuses to acknowledge what I'm going through," said Miss Pearce, who withheld her first name. | |
| "But it's what I was born with. I was confused, but now I'm not, and I want it sorted." | "But it's what I was born with. I was confused, but now I'm not, and I want it sorted." |
| In December, she received a letter from her GP confirming referral to a psychiatrist - beginning the process of gender reassignment. Her first appointment is in July. | In December, she received a letter from her GP confirming referral to a psychiatrist - beginning the process of gender reassignment. Her first appointment is in July. |
| "I'm annoyed that it's taken so long, but hopeful I can get surgery soon," she said. | "I'm annoyed that it's taken so long, but hopeful I can get surgery soon," she said. |
| DISCRIMINATION IN WALES SURVEY A survey about attitudes to discrimination in Wales found that prejudice is most stark towards transgender people - only a third of adults said they are happy for a relative to have a long-term relationship with a transgender person. Source: Equality and Human Rights Commission (2008) | |
| Dee Jenkins, 57, an office equipment engineer from Cardiff, began treatment privately while she "fought" the Health Commission Wales to fund her therapy. | |
| "It was dragging me down. I couldn't concentrate on my job, I knew I had to take action," she said. | "It was dragging me down. I couldn't concentrate on my job, I knew I had to take action," she said. |
| For some, surgery is an essential part of the transition from one gender to another. | |
| Miss Jenkins thinks that men who transition into women "have to go the extra mile". | Miss Jenkins thinks that men who transition into women "have to go the extra mile". |
| She said: "We have to look as female as possible not to draw the wrong sort of attention, sadly there still is a lot of bigotry out there." | She said: "We have to look as female as possible not to draw the wrong sort of attention, sadly there still is a lot of bigotry out there." |
| "It's important for future relationships too," said Miss Pearce, "and everyday life. Let's just say I'm not about to go swimming before I have the operation, it would be too embarrassing. And uncomfortable for other women," she said. | "It's important for future relationships too," said Miss Pearce, "and everyday life. Let's just say I'm not about to go swimming before I have the operation, it would be too embarrassing. And uncomfortable for other women," she said. |
| I've deliberately avoided situations where I think I would face discrimination - so I stay in a lot Miss Pearce | I've deliberately avoided situations where I think I would face discrimination - so I stay in a lot Miss Pearce |
| A 2007 study commissioned by the Equality Review found that 73% of trans people in the UK had experienced verbal harassment, threatening behaviour, or, physical, verbal or sexual abuse in public spaces. | A 2007 study commissioned by the Equality Review found that 73% of trans people in the UK had experienced verbal harassment, threatening behaviour, or, physical, verbal or sexual abuse in public spaces. |
| Miss Pearce, who now lives in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, said she had experienced "odd stares" and "shouts" on the street. | |
| "I've deliberately avoided situations where I think I would face discrimination - so I stay in a lot," she said. | "I've deliberately avoided situations where I think I would face discrimination - so I stay in a lot," she said. |
| Miss Jenkins said she feels "luckier" than many other trans people she knows. | Miss Jenkins said she feels "luckier" than many other trans people she knows. |
| As a self-employed engineer she said it was important to be open and honest with her customers. And all but one has supported her decision. | As a self-employed engineer she said it was important to be open and honest with her customers. And all but one has supported her decision. |
| Her six children, from two previous marriages, are also adjusting, and now mostly call her Dee. | Her six children, from two previous marriages, are also adjusting, and now mostly call her Dee. |
| Last Christmas, Miss Jenkins's father, who is 84 years old, bought her two skirts and blouses for work. | Last Christmas, Miss Jenkins's father, who is 84 years old, bought her two skirts and blouses for work. |
| "He's accepted me as a daughter. For me that means the world," she said. | "He's accepted me as a daughter. For me that means the world," she said. |
| Gender reassignment surgery would "complete the transition" Miss Jenkins began in 2007. | Gender reassignment surgery would "complete the transition" Miss Jenkins began in 2007. |
| She said: "I want to be as complete a woman as I can." | She said: "I want to be as complete a woman as I can." |