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Susan Platt, Yorkshire 'T-girl’ talks to Paul Hunt about shopping, marriage and eight-inch heels!
How did it all start?
Well I started thinking femme at about 11 years of age. I just realised I was different from the other guys at school and started buying and wearing female clothes experimenting with make up etc. It just feels normal for me and has never gone away.
How do you describe your sexual orientation?
Translesbian - not everyone can understand, but I love being a girl with girls!
How does this fit with the ‘trans’ part of your life?
It’s just normal to me but I still get guys flirting and trying to chat me up and I have lots of lgbt friends who accept my choice.
What reactions have you had over the years?
When you tell someone you’re trans they are either curious or say ‘I don’t want to know,’ but to be honest, most are curious. (laughs)
Family and friends must have had mixed feelings about this aspect of your life, how did they and you cope with this?
They are so supportive, and our wedding showed this. The whole community turned out and mixed with our family. The families both agreed our friends are very special and welcoming
The trans community is slowly beginning to be recognized and growing, How safe do you feel in the mainstream community?
At work I have no problems. My neighbours are supportive and there’s a lot of new trans people just waiting to make that first step. The help we have had from the bars in Leeds has helped and we now have two regular monthly events plus the weekly meeting - big thanks to The Viaduct, Xibit and The Old Red Lion.
We know by your pictures on several web sites and your videos on YouTube, that you are something of a sophisticated dresser - where do you buy your clothes?
ebay.com, charity shops... the US ebay site is far cheaper than the UK - even with the postage, get your eight-inch heels there!
Talking of attire, your high heels are something of a trademark. Where do theses come from and how do you manage to walk in them?
They are made by Pleaser and came from ebay.com. Walking is easy, skipping even more fun! I managed the Pride march two years ago and thanks to all my sponsors it was worth it
Tell us about some of your achievements in recent years?
Walking the Pride march in those heels, 100,000 hits on YouTube, runner-up Miss Golden Sparkle, Leeds Drag Idol thanks to Daisy Du Pont, Anna Glypta and the infamous night with Danny Cher Bailey. I’m inspired by them to push on and reach new heights and enter till I win (if I live that long!), Drag 4 You in Barnsley, winning a couple of pigeon races (yes don’t laugh!) appearing on TV on Two Queens and a Castle and the new stuff we’re filming now, appearing on the front of the Daily Sport! And of course the monthly T-Girl nights, but I have a lot of help and can’t take the credit for all of that.
I still think the best is yet to come though!
You married last year in Leeds. How is married life and how did Lisa adapt to your lifestyle?
She was open from the start and this is why so many people in the community like her - I believe she treats everyone as equals.
So, what is on Susan Platt’s agenda in the next twelve months?
Leeds Pride of course! And Kinky 4 the night before Pride; and hopefully the sports day too: The T Girls vs. The Yorkshire Terriers. Then there’s The Pink Picnic, Sparkle in Manchester, some TV work, another glossy magazine article, the monthly nights at The Viaduct, and Xibit, DJing at Xibit - plus my day job! There’s also a wedding anniversary to sort!
If you’d like more information on trans issues, visit the website below.
Web: www.northernconcord.org.uk
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