Digital Transgender Archive

Meet The Girl Who Became A Man (1937)

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Peter Alexander, interviewed in Sydney, born and brought up as Mavis Higgins in New Zealand, speaks of his sex change from female to male. He discusses the aspects of his personality when younger which influenced his decision, his view of women in society and his plans for the future. Although Peter talks about shaving it is not clear if any medical intervention had assisted his sex change. The predominant voice in this clip is that of Alexander, dressed in jacket and tie, talking cheerily about his interest in sport, his awareness that his "male side and personality" were always dominant, his desire to marry and continue with his musical career. The story was sensationalised in the tabloid newspaper of the day "The Truth".

Item Information:

Identifier
z316q1725
Collection
Audio and Video Clips and Transcripts
Institution
British Pathé
Date Issued
1937
Genre
Motion Pictures
Subject(s)
Peter Alexander
Places
New South Wales > Sydney
Topic(s)
FtMs
Gender identity
Masculinities
Transgender people
Resource Type
Moving image
Language
English
Rights
Copyright undetermined
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