Sarah welcomed into Lochaber as she searches for new identity
SINCE American reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner first revealed her identity as a trans woman in April 2015, the rights of transgender people have arguably never been discussed more openly.
Following a recent Edinburgh hustings event about lesbian, gay, bi- sexual, trans gender and i ntersex (LGBTI) issues with the leaders of Scotland’s five main political parties, The Oban Times spoke to Lochaber-based transgender woman Sarah Yann Fanet about her life and journey towards happiness and acceptance in the Highlands.
Originally from France, the 46-year- old tour guide and musician moved to Kinlochleven 15 months ago from the south of England to start a new life. Diagnosed with gender dysmorphia, Sarah is now under-going gender re-assignment treatment.
The process has been physically gruelling and emotionally painful and an inability of family members to come to terms with her new identity was partly behind Sarah’s decision to uproot to Lochaber.
She explained: ‘I love the Highlands, I love the culture and I love the music.
‘It felt like home and I knew the area because I’ve visited on a regular basis for the last 20 years. I’ve always found the people here have a strong sense of equality.’
As such, fitting in has not been a problem: ‘ You’re less like to suffer from physical assault around here but you won’t find the support groups and people are not quite as educated on the issue. But you won’t find the extreme behaviour you will find in bigger cities.’
She added: ‘ Because Kinlochleven is a small community, they welcomed me very quickly. I’ve found that people don’t ask questions and accept me as Sarah. As long as you get involved, they’re happy.’
News of the SNP’s Scottish election commitment to reform gender equality legislation is welcome, according to Sarah, who is involved in local politics and LGBTI activism.
‘When you look at the progress we’ve made in terms of trans issues, it’s only the beginning. It’s very much ingrained in our culture that you are male or female and that’s it. So it’s new to the general public and it’s going to take some time.
‘Scotland is a forward-looking country and has led the way in terms of LGBTI rights in the UK. It’s not there yet, but new legislation could mean I can apply for a passport, driving licence and national insurance number without needing a doctor to say that I am female.’
A Scottish and Irish folk-inspired musician, Sarah has issued two albums and recorded at Watercolour Music, the Ardgour studio owned and run by producer and songwriter Nick Turner and musician and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.
When circumstances allow, Sarah has plans to play more music and record another album. Previous work has been based on words by the Irish poet WB Yeats but inspiration for her next project is likely to come from much closer to home.
‘When I was gigging in Kinlochleven recently, I actually performed a new song about arriving here and starting a new life,’ Sarah explained. ‘When I come to record the new album I’d like it to be about this area. I’d like to dedicate it to this part of the world which has been my refuge and which is now my new home.’