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"NHS is exploiting my life" - claims transsexual

8:10am Saturday 31st January 2009 in


A TRANSSEXUAL, angry at an NHS advertising campaign that depicts a man wearing makeup, says her lifestyle has been exploited for the sake of a poster.

Lucy Smith thinks the NHS should have been more sensitive to the transsexual community in Warrington when it developed a poster warning women drinkers they could end up looking like men.

“It’s hard enough living in Warrington without this,” said Lucy, a pre-op male to female transsexual.

“People see the posters on the bus and it draws attention to me sat there. I walk down the street and everyone’s looking or shouting,” she said.

Transsexuality is recognised as a medical condition, and the NHS pays for transgender operations.

That NHS Warrington would put up the posters while knowing about the problems transsexuals face has upset Lucy and her friends in the transsexual community.

Not a day goes by without a violent incident or abusive comments towards Lucy, aged 23, and the posters have only brought transsexuality to the forefront of people’s minds, she said.

“They have these pictures that stand out a mile and people will see it and start pointing and making comments and laughing,” she said.

The posters were brought in as part of a hard-hitting campaign to lower excessive drinking levels in women.

Warrington is one of the worst towns in the country for the high level of women who drink too much, and research has shown that excessive drinking can introduce male characteristics to women.

The person on the poster is fictional, made up of different images that were merged together by an artist, a spokesman for NHS Warrington said.

NHS Warrington sent the poster to national equality and diversity groups and consulted with the national lead for the transgender community, the spokesman said.

The groups did not find any reason for NHS Warrington not to use the posters.

Similar campaigns used elsewhere in the country have been successful in reducing harmful drinking levels in women, the spokesman added.

Lucy has asked both NHS Warrington and Warrington Borough Transport to remove the posters, but was told the campaign had been effective and would not be removed.

Transsexual men and women want to establish a permanent role as a member of the opposite sex, and many have gender reassignment surgery to complete this. This transition can take years.

Comments(33)

Repairman Jack says...
1:27pm Sat 31 Jan 09

So this advert will somehow increase problems for him but having his photo in the Guardian won't?

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jalapenokitten says...
2:58pm Sat 31 Jan 09

"So this advert will somehow increase problems for him but having his photo in the Guardian won't?So this advert will somehow increase problems for him but having his photo in the Guardian won't?"

HER photo Jack, not his. I have to say that if you can't get even that right you have very little hope of understanding the issues involved!

FWIW many transwomen have enough to contend with in daily life without adverts like this drawing unwanted attention to them.

This is somewhat thoughtless on the part of the NHS Trust concerned - they should of course know this already. It's not like we're THAT rare, after all...and most of us you would never pick out of a crowd.

As ever, the people who get picked on are the ones wo are most visible and vulnerable - usually not those (like me) who've got through it all and made a new life for ourselves.

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Repairman Jack says...
4:31pm Sat 31 Jan 09

Him - pre-op. He can choose to be called she but I, quite correctly, refer to those with a Y chromsone and male genitalia as he.

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chunkymunky says...
4:42pm Sat 31 Jan 09

And here lies the problem Repairman Jack! its not an issue of you feel people should be reffered but how the individual does! its called respect and acceptance that warrington isnt just made up of your steroetypical parents and 2.4 kids!

Your attitude is the type of attitude that allowes non acceptance to anyone people see as 'different' therefore 'not normal' and its nothing but a sepratist one! hmm who else started with an attitude like that?? i forget...you know him german army bloke.....little moustach?

Wake up Jack its the world you live in!

I can only hope the LGBT community continue to be strong anf visible against this type of moronic attitude!

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chunkymunky says...
4:43pm Sat 31 Jan 09

ps- Lucy i fully agree with your statement and i find ADS' adverts very offesive toward the trans community!

Maybe a potition to the local council?

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Polly2 says...
6:33pm Sat 31 Jan 09

@Jack - unless you have seen Lucy's karyotype, how do you know she has a Y chromo? Even if she has, she might have AIS who would develop as female. Chromosomes are not a totlally reliable indicator of sex. Or she might have a Gender Recognition Certificate. There are many other possibities that would make you wrong. In other words, you do not know - neither do I, which is why I am happy to rely on her self ID. I am sorry for you that you seem to have a problem with doing the same. You do not and cannot know that you are correct.

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RebeccaMartin says...
7:31pm Sat 31 Jan 09

you know , im sat here right now having just told work ive been undergoing a transition (yes jack im pre op to and im definetly a SHE } totally terrified having read this you know the last 10 years for me and for other girls have been one step away form a bottle of pills or a sharp knife or walking in front of a fast train. Can people not just except that people are diffrent , give people respect we dont come up to you in the street and start pointing at you cos your a bit fat or whatever why would , do you need to treat us like were freeks do you sit at home in floods of tears at least 1 night a week cos you know you are not the person you really need to be cos you are a GIRL yet you have boy bits do you look at other people GG Gentic girls in this case and wish so hard you were like them is this your life ?

If not then think yourself lucky and have some respect for those that have to live it.

im sorry if this all sounds harsh but repairman so was your post.

kind regards
Rebecca

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chez says...
9:08pm Sat 31 Jan 09

tjust sending out a warning to women that have large quantitys of alcohol. Not to afend people.

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jalapenokitten says...
9:43pm Sat 31 Jan 09

"you know , im sat here right now having just told work ive been undergoing a transition (yes jack im pre op to and im definetly a SHE } totally terrified having read this.."

Hi Rebecca,

I know what you mean. The story of what happened to Gwen Arujo broke just weeks before my transition in 2002, and at the time I felt so vulnerable and afraid it was unreal. However, what I actually found was that I had unconditional support from friends and colleague, and it didn't take long to get back on my feet. These days I run a software company and take an active role in my church, so it hasn't worked out at all bad!

Be strong and believe in yourself. You'll get there.

Anna x

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toffeeman_4ever says...
4:48pm Sun 1 Feb 09

Why are we discussing this???? It's an advert, get over it!!! Anyway, you want to look like a woman but alas you look like a man. Stop being so sensitive, sticks and stones ..........

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toffeeman_4ever says...
5:15pm Sun 1 Feb 09

this isnt even a story.......how about discussing the real issues and problems in warrington or the united kingdom. too much pandering to people who frankly i dont care about. if u want to discuss the plight of gulf war vets or care of our aging population, anything apart from this non starter of an issue.

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wilbill says...
6:44pm Sun 1 Feb 09

The woman/Man whatever is making matters worse by apperaing in the paper. Of course everyone is entitled to live their own life, but I am overweight and do not complainm everytime "Fat club" appears on the telly. Lucy is making herself more prone to comments by complaining about a non issue and drawing attention to herself. Too much time is spent on Gay/Lesbian/Transexu
al/ Straight issues, when we should be attending to issues like street crime and child abuse.

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BigLiz says...
9:03pm Sun 1 Feb 09

Girls, don't rise to the bait. Folk like Repairman Jack and toffeeman eventually pitch up in my back yard.

It's one thing to air one's simple-minded view from behind a computer screen, quite another to try and talk one's way out of a situation with a West Country scrum-half and her girlfriends. I've seen them go white as a sheet.

Best thing to do when under threat of these idiots is make sure you befriend your local police beat manager. Avon & Somerset, Strathclyde, The Met all take a professional approach to dealing with transphobic morons and I don't doubt that the constabulary local to this organ is just as dependable.

Get yourself to a good support forum such as tzone and take further advice.

Don't talk to the media or they'll tell the world what you've got between your legs, ie, "Don't feed the animals."

There are lobbying groups working on it at the moment.

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luluford says...
5:09am Mon 2 Feb 09

The campaign sponsored by the NHS promotes sexist stereotypes. It actually harms women by placing masculine looking woman in a negative light. We all might agree that some women have drinking problems. The appropriate reaction would deal with the life-threatening consequences rather than promoting negative stereotypes which harm all women. What this type of advertising says it that fashionable women are better than those less endowed. It is shallow and superficial. It is unworthy of an organization which is entrusted to promote public health.

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LJ says...
1:34pm Mon 2 Feb 09

To most of us the advert was nothing more than a warning that if you drink too much you could end up looking like this! It certainly put the wind up me! The object being that alcohol is putting a huge financial strain on the NHS. But to all you transexuals out there who have seized this narrow window of opportunity to whinge about the stresses of transexuality, you should take comfort from the fact that more money would be available within the NHS for your "transitions?" if alcohol related health problems were reduced!!

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chunkymunky says...
4:23pm Mon 2 Feb 09

Well LJ from Westbrook i can only assume you have no understanding on how the NHS allocates money and what funding streams go where! do you honestly beieve that if alcohol related treatments were used less because the probelm was 'fixed' more money would be poured into the gender identity services? Im sure the cancer, mental health, tobacco, acute, secondary and other related community NHS services would and do have something to say about that!

Gender identity is wayyyy dow the list of funding streams so please unless your aware of how funding is allocated i suggest you dont bother making comments on issues you dont truly understand!

Ohh and by the way i know i have been very vocal in this debate and im sure you'll assume im some raving loony with a grudge from the trans community! im actaully very much the opposite, i just strongly believe in a fair, accepting and equal society!

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BigLiz says...
4:31pm Mon 2 Feb 09

Whingeing about stress? 30% commit suicide because of it. Naturally, I wouldn't expect you to know that. 74% face the threat or realisation of violent assault in any given year. There's plenty more, but I'll not burden you with it.

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LJ says...
4:54pm Mon 2 Feb 09

Why cause more stress by having your picture in the Guardian. Until this article was printed most of Warrington saw the posters as nothing more than a good reason to cut down on alcohol and I also strongly believe in a fair, accepting and equal society. I hope Lucy lives in a community that can offer her support, cos she may have made sitting on the bus even more uncomfortable now.

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chunkymunky says...
5:49pm Mon 2 Feb 09

Well sometimes very brave people have to go public and take a stand to represent and support the rest of their community who otherwise would go ignored.

As 'bigliz' points out members of the Trans community are much more likely to attempt suicide, self injure, use substances, suffer mental health problems etc and all of this is closely linked with social cohesion! so hey your right.....lets tell the trans community to not 'stress'!

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Billy Porter says...
9:07pm Mon 2 Feb 09

Did you know, fact fans, that transexuals-to-be will be able to apply for TWO of the new ID cards (if they ever get off the ground).

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chunkymunky says...
11:46am Tue 3 Feb 09

Like most of the ideas around the ID card scheme its 'proposed' not a 'will be able to' and will still have juch debate! and also a trans person will not have two they will have to exchange one for another!

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BellaTS says...
12:56pm Tue 3 Feb 09

I find this discussion very distressing for several reasons.

First, there is already far too much insecurity among young and not-so-young women about their appearance. I am alarmed by the increase in elective cosmetic surgery over the past several years, and I know that there has been a corresponding increase in the levels of dissatisfaction many women feel with their looks. Indeed, I believe that one in three women is "body dysmorphic".

I am therefore very disappointed to see that the State, through the NHS, is effectively saying that "it is important to look beautiful".

The advertisers chose an easy and high impact way of conveying their message, but they should have been more responsible. The hidden message of this advert is distinctly chilling.

Second, as a transsexual person myself, I understand the terrible stress and insecurities that this condition engenders. Many transsexuals are deeply fearful of appearing in public. For many the ideal would be to blend into the background.

We cannot really hope always to "pass", but when we are noticed, or discussed, I would hope that we can be accorded some respect and dignity.

I do hope that is not too much to ask for.

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LJ says...
2:58pm Tue 3 Feb 09

This whole thing has been blown out of all proportion!

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Billy Porter says...
10:11pm Tue 3 Feb 09

chunky - ID Cards are way past the "proposed" stage, all the debate is over. They are now being rolled out to foreign nationals, have a mooch around here:

http://www.homeoffic
e.gov.uk/passports-a
nd-immigration/id-ca
rds/

And, I did say "transexuals-to-be":


http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/uk_politics/4
664142.stm

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andyfromleeds says...
12:19pm Wed 4 Feb 09

I'm with Jack on this one.

Yes, I am straight, and I have not chosen to mess about with my body, however please don't tell me I am not allowed to feel strongly against transexuality because I don't feel like you do.

Firstly, it is not about respect, if someone can't respect themselves (putting a wig on, some lipstick and then walking about with a dress on does not count as self respect in my book) then how am I supposed to respect them back? I don't go out of my way to let them know how I feel, I don't even look twice, but it does annoy me when people attack Jack's opinion because it is different from yours. The vast majority of people agree with me, otherwise half the nation wouldn't know exactly what genetalia they have.

The poster is a brilliant idea, and to hell with this chap if he doesn't agree with it. Getting women to stop binging is a LOT more important than some transexual not happy that not everyone agrees with him. He's fine with posters depicting beaten children, beaten women, injured people etc for other causes, yet when it includes one of his type, it's not allowed, shut up mate and jog on.

It's rubbish like this which is turning our country into a PC ridden hell hole where free speech is limited to other people's opinions.

I will never come to terms with people mutilating themselves because they have issues with their gender. We all have issues in life, but we don't go running to a man with a knife and a certificate.

Grow up, tackle drinking first, then we'll worry about men that like to dress like women.

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HGurs says...
12:41pm Wed 4 Feb 09

andyfromLeeds

What you banging on about freedom of speech for? No one is saying you can't express your opinion, just that you and Jack are wrong. Which you are, and, with our freedom of speech, we are allowed to say.

Also, if you claim to be so in favour of free speech, surely you must be in favour of freedom of expression, including sex changes.

Hypocrite

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grayson says...
1:38pm Wed 4 Feb 09

she should be left alone to live the life she wants in peace, there is a transexuale on one of the leeds utd forums called danny and she gets stick off the posters saying she has squareballs ect, why are people so petty and cruel.

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Nicola Peate says...
2:49pm Wed 4 Feb 09

Gmoney, If posts are offensive to others they will be removed. Please think carefully before posting.

This has been a reasoned debate of an important issue so far but if people continue to post abusive comments the facility to comment will have to be suspended.

Nicola Peate, Web Editor.

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Fagan and the two Magees says...
2:49pm Wed 4 Feb 09

I have no problem with transexuals or any other sexual preference but it is rather dumb to complain about negative publicity and then get your fizzer in the local paper.
At least due to this column the only names being shouted will be "JOHN TERRY"
Somebody tell me this is not a wind-up - JT in a pink blouse, what a gift from the gods.

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handl says...
3:35pm Wed 4 Feb 09

Lucy Smith has found herself. I wish her the best of luck going through the change, and I'm almost sure that she will come out of it 'complete'. However, the use of such tactics by the council to deter people from harming themselves is completely justified - A very good example is pictures of seriously sick or dying people on gigarette packets. We people are not all as strong as each other and it is clear that weaker ones need 'scaring' into action. I remember in the 70's there were anti-smoking adverts in cinemas showing how a girl was put-off by the smell of a smokers breath - the message being that if you are a boy and smoke, you may not get the girl. A powerful message to either sex. So, assuming that this message is true (i.e. a heavy drinking girl may develop male characteristics), then that is pretty powerful stuff and may deter some female drinkers. If it works, it's a good result. Any association with Lucy is coincidental and unfortunate but only in the minds of those like Lucy, or morons. And the morons don't matter. Stick with it Lucy.

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pioneer1 says...
3:47pm Wed 4 Feb 09

to be honest, i think the pre he / she shouldnt be complaining about the press because dont forget he did pose for the pic for the guardian, durr!

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grahamuk34 says...
9:16pm Wed 4 Feb 09

I think she's pretty, good luck lucy

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mike hunt says...
10:51pm Wed 4 Feb 09

grayson wrote:
she should be left alone to live the life she wants in peace, there is a transexuale on one of the leeds utd forums called danny and she gets stick off the posters saying she has squareballs ect, why are people so petty and cruel.
Alan Smith should stop posting on L**d's forums.




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Angry - Lucy Smith The offending advert

Angry - Lucy Smith (Photograph taken by Warrington Guardian chief photographer Mike Boden)

The offending advert





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