Phia's Story

by Phia Leselle

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

I wish that all transgendered people could be as happy as I am ...

All my life I was tortured by the knowledge that I should have been a woman despite having been born male. Despite my inner feelings I married but the marriage did not change my feelings. I told my wife before we were married that I "had a problem". She saw me dressed twice, for about five minutes each time, but would not try to understand and accept my need.

Nonetheless we were married for forty-three years and produced six children. We also have sixteen grandchildren and three (maybe five, I'm not sure) great grandchildren.

In 1952 I saw a doctor and a psychologist and told them about my feelings but they were unable to help me. 1952 was the year Christine Jorgensen was outed as the "first" transsexual in the world. She wasn't, of course, but she was the first to receive world-wide, sensational, publicity.

I worked as a factory maintenance fitter for most of my life, seven days a week. I enjoy the occasional beer but I have never been drunk and I gave my wife and children everything I could afford. Most of the children were taught piano and some went to university. Now they are teachers, engineers and builders. My eldest daughter and two of my sons stay in touch.

I live alone although I have many male and female friends. I am a life-member of the Seahorse Society and have been a member of the N.S.W. Gender Centre for many years.

I am also a member of a number of clubs devoted to other interests such as music, dancing, various sports and swimming. I played football for eleven years but it's hard to play in high heels, so I gave it up. Also because I am now over eighty years old. I am still a licensed fitter and turner, engine reconditioner, welder, boiler operator, forklift driver, panel-beater and spray-painter. I work on cars a lot, reconditioning them and bringing them back to life. I am also an inventor and am working on a new car design which will provide more environmentally-friendly power for less fuel consumption in a lighter engine than any design currently in use.

I am happy now, living as Phia, and I love life. I wish that all transgendered people could be as happy as I am and win their way through the prejudice, transphobia and all the other forms of discrimination so typical of our current society so that they can live the way they want to live, and were born to live.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.