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I've just finished watching an interesting documentary on the life of April Ashley on youtube (on 4 history if you want to find it) I had never heard of April but it was a great watch & quite prescient considering the current situation. I found it is both encouraging & depressing in equal measures. It proves that despite adversity things can & will improve given time but it's almost unbelievable that 60 years of advancement can be wiped out almost overnight. I can see why this was released so recently but it's a shame that it is on youtube rather than on tv where it might open a few more eyes. Anyway, it is definitely worth checking out as a fascinating life story.
@sashabennett did it mention her divorce? The ruling changed the law
What a life she had !
@collettexx It did and she certainly did. I would heartily recommend looking for it, even if you know the story it is a nice positive take on what seems to be all negative these days.
An inspiring person to me as a 16 year old tranny, to do what she did back in the day ...
@leslienix At 16 I was only just dipping a metaphorical toe into this world so such things were too deep in the water. Like many, I wish what I know now was more accessable back then but hey ho, that's life.
Was it the Extraordinary Life of AA? If so, that's on AppleTV here in the US. I'll add it to my queue though!
Still need to watch Venus Of Mars documentary about the American musician.
@felicianrb That's the very one. A worthy addition to your queue. I am unaware of Venus of Mars so thanks for the tip there, looks like I'll need a queue as well 😀
Turns out, not an Apple TV subscriber, but there's a recent book that's well reviewed on Amazon (Inside Out: The Extraordinary Legacy of AA) that will make its way to me instead!
@felicianrb It'll last longer than a tv show at least & there is still the youtube option.
@felicianrb Turns out that Venus of Mars is "not available in this territory" funny way of putting it but it seems that one is out for me. Ces't la vie......
Ironically, I think it's the same with YouTube and "Extraordinary Life of AA" here (USA), as I can't seem to find it. But, I have my workaround 🙂
I was far too young, at 11 or 12, to make sense of it all, but I do remember the newspaper rag shock / horror expose that sensationalised // outed her. I do remember vaguely a photograph of a very beautiful woman.
She was a very driven, and very brave woman.
Just to add to the irony , given the recent 'ruling', in 2012 she was awarded the MBE for , quote, "services to transgender equality".
Emma x
@emmat The whole thing was new to me, even though I was around then the only time I came across anything similar was a piece in the local paper about someone in the street just around the corner from us going through the same thing. I thought it was interesting but like yourself, was too young to really process it. I found the irony of her appearing on "loose women" equal to the MBE award. Things must have seemed quite encouraging back then (sighs)
This final issue edited by Virginia Prince, was unusual among Transvestia issues as it was solely an autobiographical account of Virginia's life, in which she recounted her early experiences with crossdressing, her divorce, and her work creating and maintaining Transvestia.
The magazine operated on three core objectives:
- To provide expression for those interested in the subjects of unusual dress and fashion.
- To provide information to those who, through ignorance, condemn that which they don't understand.
- To provide education for those who see evil when none exists.
I’ve just watched it on your recommendation. I didn’t know the story at all, but it was very moving. What an amazing woman. Thank you for bringing it to our attention, one for all to watch.
Jen x
I couldn't find it on YouTube. Perhaps it's a location thing. I don't have a VPN to make YouTube think I am in the U.K. I did find some other April Ashley interviews over her life time. Quite Extraordinary.
@augustvaliant Shame, it was a remarkable piece of programming. Maybe it will turn up in due course.
She was such a pioneer for trans and eventually gained the recognition she deserved. Sadly times have changed backwards.
