Saintfield woman’s remarkable transformation

Saintfield woman’s remarkable transformation

23 November 2016

A FUNDRAISING charity head shave marks an important fresh start for Saintfield woman Victoria Garrett.

Thirty nine year-old Victoria regards her decision to cut off her hair as a “coming of age” after the life-changing decision to change gender.

Three-and-a-half years since completing her transition to a woman, Victoria believes her decision to take part in Macmillan’s Brave the Shave campaign shows the confidence she has recently gained.

Raising over £600 by cutting off 21 inches of hair, including two plaits that have since been donated to the Little Princess Trust, was a particular challenge to Victoria who admits to regarding her long-hair as an important accessory.

Also recently ditching make-up for the first time, she said she feels she has finally “found her feet” as a woman.

“Trying to find my way since the transition has been difficult at times as I spent 30 years the way I was before,” she said.

“One of my proudest moments was the day, not very long ago, when I was able to walk out of the house without make-up.

“That was such a big deal for me, and my hair was also linked into that idea I had of my femininity.

“That means there was a bit more angst for me than most when deciding to brave the shave but I did it. I have stripped back my make-up and stripped back my hair and for me that represents starting afresh.”

Growing up in Saintfield, Victoria said she always knew she was different.

However, it was only during a chance conversation with a transgender woman that she realised what might be behind the struggles she had faced since childhood.

Following a visit to her GP and a referral to a Gender Identity Clinic in Belfast, Victoria eventually decided to take the Real Life Experience (RLE) as a woman.

Her first step was a name change, which she said was inspired by a conversation with her mum.

“My mum was so supportive from the beginning,” she recalled.

“I always felt different but I never knew what it was. She told me I had to live my life for myself, not for her or for anybody else.

“She also said my name would have been Victoria if I had been born a girl so that is the name I chose.”

Attending the gender clinic and receiving the support of medical professionals proved life-changing for Victoria.

“To have that acknowledgement was so important,” she said. “I was wondering for so long what it was going on with me and now suddenly I understood.

“After that first session, I took a two year break to find myself and to make sure this was 

right for me. I had niggles of doubt, but every time they came up I looked at what was happening and eventually realised this was the right path for me.”

Victoria, who enjoyed a successful career as drag queen Twanda until her transition, said she is now one of the few transgender stand-up comedians in Northern Ireland.

Returning to gigging over the past year, alongside her head shave, is, she says, part of her growing confidence.

With her transition now complete, she is keen to mentor others earlier in their journey.

“I have been so lucky because I had the support of my mum and friends throughout everything,” she said.

“I cannot even imagine how difficult it would be for others who do not have similar support and that is where I would like to help.

“Trying to find my way could be difficult at times but I look back on it now and think it was all worthwhile. It is the start of a new era for me.”