Documentary "All change for Ian"

[Lynda Collins]

Thurs 9pm [northwest uk] Cutting Edge documentary called "All Change for Ian"
Ian Hamilton the 42year old captain made history when he became the first officer and paratrooper in the armed forces to undergo a sex change operation

[Rose Marie]

Thurs 9pm [northwest uk] Cutting Edge documentary called "All Change for Ian"
Ian Hamilton the 42year old captain made history when he became the first officer and paratrooper in the armed forces to undergo a sex change operation

That would be Jan ,, lynda ,, if my memory serves me well...

[Lynda Collins]

Just copied it out of "TV Choice" magazine Rose... she does end up as Jan though

[rachelb]

See =
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/cutting_edge/sex_change_soldier/soldier1.html

[Stephanie Butterfield]

I watched it last night and thought it was very touching, she and I have a few experiences in common, unemployment and family abandonment.

It is strange how the old girls in the charity shop engaged with her, they were vey friendly, but they also seemed a little uncomfortable in wanting an elongated chat over clothes.

Some shop keepers have said "hey mate, the mens clothes are over there, those are womens clothes" to which I've said that I am in fact a woman and that is why I'm looking at them.

No-one ever said transition was easy but some in society make it a living hell.

At least Jan has had her FFS, only wish I could, then I'd move away from Gateshead where I live. Let someone else do the transsexual awareness work I do voluntarily.

I wouldn't mind being Jan's friend.


Steph

[rachelb]

I did manage to watch the programme in the end, along with my wife who said she didn't mind watching as "You aren't going for the change, are you". "Er, no dear, definatly not!" But it didn't help with the opening scenes of Blackpool, that got a cheer from me. but a "Oh, not that bloody place again!" (Blackpool seems to feture quite frequently on the telly with trans connections, well she seems to think so anyway)

I am not going to comment on the film as I don't believe I am in a situation to judge people who are going through that major change in their lives, both mentally and physically without having done it myself. It was very sad that she was totally rejected by her parents in that way, the very time she wanted love from someone close to help her through that cruchal? time.

Comment from my wife this morning was that Jan is now in a situation where lots of women of that age (40's) find themselves, alone, be it divorce or never married. They have difficulties in finding partners unless they get out and meet people socially, and maybe more importantly with post-op transexuals, meet and mix with non-trans people to get on with the life of being an ordinary woman. Plus also she have to go and get a job now. Wife's comments, not mine.

[SophieJane]

I actually missed the documentry to avoid my wife worrying. I think Jan is an incredible woman to have done what she has in the past. I've had a very similar military past and can relate to the difficulties it could pose. Especially parachuting with a skirt on! Good luck to her!