Scope and Contents 00:00 Started access course at Coatbridge College: loved it, didn’t find it difficult. Started college androgynous, introduced self as ’Nicky’. Class of 13, 1 man coming out as gay, half of class had a same-sex-experience: stories shared over alcohol. Most brilliant and worst of times: N internalised concerns, but wrote every night about feelings.02:42 G.P. visit: N disclosed struggles with gender, G.P. focused on sexuality. N frustrated, felt had to lie about sexual attraction...

Scope and Contents 00:00 N was expected to want genital surgery: wanted flat chest but comfortable with existing genitals. ‘True transsexual’ diagnosis focused on genitals, so pressure to say wanted phalloplasty. ‘All or nothing’ attitude, ‘gender identity disorder’ so expected to take all treatments. Trans men N knows have no interest in genital surgery. Peer support informs people now but N fears people may have unnecessary surgery due to medical model. Hierarchy in trans community: N dislikes where those...

Scope and Contents 00:00 N was expected to want genital surgery: wanted flat chest but comfortable with existing genitals. ‘True transsexual’ diagnosis focused on genitals, so pressure to say wanted phalloplasty. ‘All or nothing’ attitude, ‘gender identity disorder’ so expected to take all treatments. Trans men N knows have no interest in genital surgery. Peer support informs people now but N fears people may have unnecessary surgery due to medical model. Hierarchy in trans community: N dislikes where those...

Scope and Contents 00:00 N partly convinced self of being heterosexual male: was attracted to women, but always more attracted to masculinity as a gender expression, rather than an individual’s sex. Tried to live up to stereotype of masculinity, though N knew it was false. Tried to have ‘high femme’ girlfriend, while N’s getting off with androgynous woman was kept secret, as it looked more lesbian than heterosexual male.03:45 N struggles with labels: acts or thinks in a way that contradicts the...

Scope and Contents 00:00 N partly convinced self of being heterosexual male: was attracted to women, but always more attracted to masculinity as a gender expression, rather than an individual’s sex. Tried to live up to stereotype of masculinity, though N knew it was false. Tried to have ‘high femme’ girlfriend, while N’s getting off with androgynous woman was kept secret, as it looked more lesbian than heterosexual male.03:45 N struggles with labels: acts or thinks in a way that contradicts the...

Scope and Contents 00:00 Nick [N] born 1972. Mum a shop manager and Dad a painter and decorator, now a retired fireman. Brought up in Bellshill, a working-class mining town in North Lanarkshire. N left Bellshill at 18, did not fit in. Siblings and extended family still live traditional life there, having children when young. N wasn’t like that.02:12 Always felt different. Named a ‘tomboy’: liked the ‘boy’ part, but different from other tomboys. Identified more with boys but different, not a girl or...

Scope and Contents Summary of Oral History Interview by OurStory ScotlandInterviewee: Nick LairdInterviewer: Jaime ValentinePlace of Interview: Bridge of AllanDate of Interview: 21 June 2006Summariser: Dominic Miller-GrahamAccess no. AA015NickLaird0100:00 Nick [N] born 1972. Mum a shop manager and Dad a painter and decorator, now a retired fireman. Brought up in Bellshill, a working-class mining town in North...