Secretary
Nicola – Executive Secretary and Trustee
It took me over sixty years to come out as Transgender and when I did it was in the middle of the pandemic. So it was impossible to meet up with anyone or even to go out shopping.
Coming out to my family was a very stressful thing to do but one I felt I owed to them. I didn’t want to live a double life and was keen right from the start to live full time as a Transgender Woman. This caused a great deal of upset for my wife who over two years later is still struggling to come to terms with my change of gender and the impact that it has had on her and our family.
In 2020 I joined the Beaumont Society and was immediately made welcome by other members. I was fortunate that the Society was just introducing weekly Zoom meeting. These were a real life line to me and gave me the opportunity to see and talk to other Transgender Women.
I soon realised that I wanted to start my Transition and in 2021 I changed my name and then via the private route, the NHS Gender Clinics have waiting lists of over six years, started on my physical and emotional transition.
When we were able to get out again I quickly joined my nearest Transgender Group. This was wonderful as it gave me the chance to meet up face to face with other Transgender Folk. I also attended different weekend events around the country making many new friends.
Recently I started my own Transgender Group in my local town and also joined the Beaumont Society Executive Committee as Secretary and Trustee. The Beaumont Society has given so much to me in such a short space of time and I was keen to given something back and help others.