March 24, 2008 10:10 AM GMT
Hi Girls,
I've been away since the programme, so this is my first chance to make a comment about it, but Porscha has said just about everything I was going to, so, I'll just agree with her eloquent comments, rather than re-stating them in another way.
One thing, Porscha, that I do disagree with you on though, is your comment about Jan going into the Para's to try to "prove" her masculinity. You think that this may not really have been the case.
True, it may not be, but, speaking from my own, personal, history, I too, did something similar in my teens and early 20's.
For me, as a musician, my work was Non-gender specific, but my pastimes were probably as "male" as I could find. My main "participation" sport was Rugby, with all the macho/male aggression inherent in probably the most physical contact sport around!
For myself, I know that my reasons for playing rugby, were purely to try to deny, to myself, that I wasn't the "macho-male" people expected me to be!
But, apart from that slight disagreement, I can only, whole-heartedly, echo your comments!
Hugs,
Angela. xxx.
March 24, 2008 5:29 PM GMT
Thanks Angela, I struggle to understand the need to prove your masculinity when you are in fact feminine. I can understand the desire to do so if you are a man trying to test your manhood. In relation to Jan, for someone who is so obviously female to choose the most overtly masculine, and indeed, hazardous profession is difficult to comprehend. Perhaps, wanting to serve and a sense of duty, peer pressure, wanting acceptance as a part of a team, needing a closed and disciplined enviroment to find an inner-strength also all played a role, I don't know. I used to play football when I was younger and loved it, I still do. But what I did hate was the crude machismo of the dressing room before and after. It is that being surrounded by the rawest and most distasteful aspects of masculinity, and being able to accept and live with it, that I find difficult. I was also forced to play rugby, against my will, where I used to freeze out on the wing and pray nobody gave me the ball. It seemed to me just another excuse for much larger boys to bully me, as if they needed one.
March 25, 2008 4:10 PM GMT
Porscha,
Again, very well stated, but, for myself ........... and I can only speak for me, ................. my "reasons" for playing rugby were not, as you suggest, a need to prove my masculinity, but an attempt to deny my femininity. A subtle, but important difference!
But, as I later "saw sense", I came to realise that I couldn't deny my true self any longer, and am now allowing myself to live "truthfully" as Angela.
But, yet again, I find myself, in the main, agreeing with all that you've said!
(At 5ft 1in, I too was that one freezing out on the wing!!!).
Hugs,
Angela. xx.
March 25, 2008 4:49 PM GMT
You're quite right, Angela. That is a subtle but very significant difference. I can certainly understand the denial of one's femininity something, I'm sure, most of us have done at sometime in our lives if only briefly. It was certainly lonely out there on that wing but then perhaps you tackled people, something I studiously avoided lol
March 25, 2008 4:53 PM GMT
...Not wishing to re-direct the thread topic, but sympathising with both Porscha and Angela. It would appear that school games teachers have a highly developed ability to identify which pupils are special.. (Left-wing - often left shivering due to the inadequacies of others to distribute and share play, generally relied upon to tackle anything the other's daren't touch)
Hi Girls,
I'm resurrecting this thread, to bring you an up-date on Jan's story.
Jan (Ian Hamilton), recently took the British Army/Ministry of Defence, to a labour tribunal, claiming "constructive" dismissal!
Her claim rested on the fact that she had been called for a medical, by her Regiment, but had been ordered that she MUST attend in uniform (in her male personna)!
When she explained that that would both be unfair, and uncomfortable for her to do, she was informed that, unless she complied, she could face dismissal from the Service!
As she continued to refuse to attend in full male uniform, she was subsequently dismissed!
Since then, she has taken the "constructive dismissal" case to the Tribunal, where, last week, she was awarded £250,000 compensation!
Just thought you'd like to hear that, although Jan has lost her career because of her GRS, she has, at least, had some sort of (financial) revenge !
Hugs,
Angela. xx.
Nikki,
I can only agree with your points (in general), about army discipline, etc. However, as I understand it, it was No.1 Dress Uniform that was required!
Also, this was after Jan's GRS, so should, at least, have been given the option of wearing Female Officer's No.1 Dress Uniform, which I believe, was not offered.
However, there's nothing to feel that you "may upset a few"!
Your comments are totally correct.
Hugs,
Angela. xx.
March 18, 2008 12:33 AM GMT
Hi Angela, thanks for that, i saw the article about his trans in the Mail on Suday about six months ago and i was quite supprised just how much he changed during the trans i should be a very good prog
Hugs Sammi x
May 28, 2008 10:38 PM BST
Thanks for the update angela.....Well done HER for standing up to these kn*bheads in the british army & in her former regt too. Good to see she got a Decent compensation amount too......that'll show em!
Lol xxxxxxxx
Anna-Marie
March 19, 2008 9:52 PM GMT
Hey!
Yep, spotted it in the TV listings and am looking forward to it. However, in case you miss the ads for it its now, apparently, at 10pm.
Much love
Rae xx
March 19, 2008 9:58 PM GMT
Thanks for the info Angela......i'll certainly be tuning in!
Lol xxxxxxx
Anna-Marie
May 28, 2008 10:47 PM BST
Thanks for the update Angela
Typically, I'd planned to watch it and somehow missed it completely!
I think she won an award she justly deserves. [I also hope she's somehow aware of the support she has here - and passes a couple of quid to TW...]
Much love
Rae xx
Okay, this may upset a few but I can see this from both sides of the fence.
Firstly, if she is ordered to attend in uniform then she should have, this isn't civvy street we're talking about here it's the army and they have rules and regulations. However I am assuming that they meant dress uniform and not just combat fatigues which is the same for both genders. I'm sure she wouldn't have had a problem with that.
Secondly, if she is in the Paras, I can understand them wanting her out. It's wrong, but they will look at the damage it would cause to their tough image.
So, although I can see both sides, my support is completely and totally behind her 100%, and I can appreciate first hand just how hard it is to transition in a military enviroment.
Nikki