Having heard Ermina Waters story, Wayne and Paula rang us. Paula used to be a man. Now the couple would like to marry...

Wayne had left school aged 16 without a qualifications. Divorced and out of work, he decided it was high time to get some, and started doing a few evening courses. On one of them, 'Introduction to Counselling', he met and fell in love with Paula who is transsexual.

Wayne was attracted to Paula straight away. He'd never met a transsexual before. But Wayne was 17 years older, and Paula, who was divorced and with sons had a boyfriend at the time. She had her operation about five years ago, and had been living as a woman for eight years prior to that. She recall the early days after her operation as a bit like going through teenage. She experimented with make-up, clothes and boyfriends - an exciting but dicey time. Meeting Wayne put the brakes on that.

Wayne found Paula's honesty was remarkable. He had no idea of her private life and didn't even know the difference between a transsexual and a transvestite. Over six months their friendship developed.

Paula has two sons, one of whom had a child. Her relationship with her sons is now fine, but she's lost contact with her grandchild which she's very sad about. Wayne's children have been very supportive, and are glad that he's found Paula.

Now the couple want to get married. They did try to once, but without telling the registrar about Paula's past. Inevitably the registrar caught up with them - and said that not only could the wedding not go ahead, but that failing to disclose Paula's former marriage was committing perjury. Paula thought that getting arrested might be good publicity, but the Police said they couldn't arrest her.

Unlike Ermina's experience, Wayne and Paula have encountered a tremendous amount of prejudice, and Paula is hurt by the fact that technically she could be arrested for something as simple as using a ladies toilet. She does not accept her 'non-status'.

So now they are awaiting a letter from the Registrar General. They believe that the British Government may be contravening a European Court of Human Rights Act.

If you'd like to hear Ermina's story again:
Ermina's Story

Useful Links:
The Beaumont Society
The world's largest transgender society
Yahoo Groups: Transsexuals UK
A site for transsexuals
Depend
Supporting the Families and Friends of Transsexuals