Transgender Lives
Jo Clifford talks to trans people from across Scotland, hearing their stories of love, fear and transition and hopes for the future.
One day a child totters up to a mirror, looks into the glass, and doesn't recognise the person looking back at them.
This is common for those in the Transgender community - people who are born into a physical body that does not reflect their true gender identity.
Playwright Jo Clifford knows all too well the confusion and fear of this early realisation, and how the journey to live in your real gender affects every aspect of life, for she transitioned herself several years ago. Her experience was very much in the public eye, but there are people all over Scotland who have not had their stories told.
Now she talks with transgender people from all across the country, sharing their experiences of coming out to those they love, learning to overcome hostility and find acceptance in the wider world, concerns about health care, and how life changes for the better when they can finally recognise the person looking back at them from the mirror.
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Clips
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Transgender Lives - Nicky
Duration: 05:41
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Transgender Lives - Logan
Duration: 05:20
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Transgender Lives - Alice
Duration: 06:42
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Transgender Lives - Amy
Duration: 04:21
Jo Clifford
Jo is a playwright, performer, teacher, transwoman and father living in Edinburgh. She’s authored about 80 plays, including Gospel According To Jesus, Queen of Heaven.
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Photo: Yaz Norris
James Morton
James is the Manager of the Scottish Transgender Alliance, which works to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland. He met with Jo to discuss how things have changed for the Transgender community in Scotland, and what still needs to be improved.
Alice Jane Brown
Jan Irvine
Jan, from Bonnyrigg, may have retired but she fills her days with volunteer work and activism. She tells us about coming out nearly 15Μύ years ago while working as a traffic warden, when she was hounded by the tabloid press.
Amy Swift
Amy is a young drama student in Fife College. She speaks to Jo about what it’s like transitioning in present day Scotland, and how despite the changes in the past few decades the public can still be very hostile.
Logan Turner
Nicholas Stones
71 year old Nicky currently lives in Edinburgh, he shares with us his concerns about growing older, and what dementia could mean for Transgender people.
Broadcasts
- Tue 31 Mar 2015 13:32Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Scotland
- Sun 5 Apr 2015 07:04Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Scotland