The courage of Rachel
FOLLOWING your very touching and positive coverage of the story of Rachel Fleetwood, the oldest transexual in Britain (September 14), I must express my admiration at the way in which she has come out to face the world as the woman she always wanted to be, even though she is over 70.
As someone who is a transvestite and also a drag entertainer, as well as being actively involved in introducing newly 'out' transgenders to the existing members of the local Les Femmes Transgender social group, I find that all too often, within the gay, lesbian and transgender community, it is youth and beauty that takes centre stage, and the older members of the gay and transgender communities often get sidelined and forgotten.
Many of them are so isolated that they may never pluck up the courage to express their true selves, as they grew up at a time when such 'alternative' lifestyles were the subject of persecution, if not actually being against the law.
I know of many other male to female transvestites and transexuals in their sixties and seventies, some of whom visit the Les Femmes nights at a local venue; however for those like Rachel who are very frail and require round the clock care, it is fantastic to hear that she is enjoying such high quality care and respect at a Sheffield care home.
As more of us grow older and require support and care, it will become essential for all of the care sector to recognise and respect a minority such as male to female transgenders and their needs, and in recent years a lot more work has been done by organisations such as Help The Aged, Stonewall, and the various specialist transgender support groups, to achieve this goal.
If any readers would like more information to advise them or any friends/relatives regarding transgender needs and issues, including the meeting place and times of the Les Femmes Group, I will be happy to pass on information about LGBT and Transgender support groups to The Star, who can forward them to anyone interested.
Tia-Anna, Les Femmes Transvestite Group member
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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