Interview with Erika (pt 3)
- Reference Number: DW-94/1/11/3
- Date: 2013
- Level: Piece
- Extent: 1 item
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Description: 0- depressed after coming out, ex-wife suggested trying to find a group to join, researched and found gender matters (used to be called trans Shropshire) very grateful to be able to talk to people with similar experiences and issues. Erika has since become a director and trustee of the charity
1.45- also supporting people affected by transness e.g. Erika?s ex-wife and children
2.30- provide training and education for lots of different people e.g. an upcoming one with some counsellors and therapists also NHS, police, British transport police, ymca, producing education materials for schools, local authorities, other charities, volunteer workshops to try to help get trans people into work, ex-prisoners, sex workers, young children Hopes that one day they will be able to close their doors as trans equality will be reached so they will no longer be needed
6- Talks about a relationship with another Trans woman, they were too alike. Also had a relationship with a man, who she planned to build a life with, but he died tragically in a car accident.
9.35- talks about documentary ?Transsexual summer? helped to dispel idea that Trans people are human
10.50- ?People tend to thing being trans is a lifestyle choice and it isn?t you are driven to this it?s part of my makeup I am female but unfortunately have bits of me that weren?t which I have managed to change?
12- talks about getting names changed, birth certificates passports etc., have to prove you have lived as your gender for 2 years (with deed poll name changes, employers letters etc.,) and then you can get a gender recognition certificate. At this point, as the law said two women couldn?t be married then in order to get the gender recognition certificate, had to annul their marriage. The gender recognition certificate generates new birth certificate. Can get a passport and drivers licence, but have to show medical evidence to prove this is a permanent change. This has only happened in the last 10 years. Hopes laws around marriage change as she wanted to remain married
17- Pension rights can also be affected
18.25- more inclined to humanism than any religion, feels religions are too inward looking, talks more in detail about religion, and finds their attitudes towards people like her are offensive
- Access Status: Open
- Contact: Wolverhampton Archives, Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies