A TRANSGENDER woman has thanked the people of Barrhead for accepting her for who she is.

Michelle Murphy, 46, approached The News a year ago in a bid to change others’ perceptions of her.

Since then Michelle, who spent the first 45 years of her life as Matt Whiteman, has received what she describes as “a lot of positivity” from Barrhead residents.

Michelle says she knew she was a woman from a young age.

Originally from Nottingham, she moved to the town to start afresh and get away from her family.

Unable to comprehend what she was experiencing, Michelle’s relatives shunned her and continue to ignore any attempts she makes to contact them to this day.

Despite the lack of understanding from her own kin, she insists the majority of people in Barrhead have treated her kindly.

Michelle, who works as a chef at the town’s Dalmeny Park Hotel, said: “I’ve had a lot of positivity within the last year regarding being a transgender woman.

“Overall in Barrhead it’s not a problem at all. Every time I go to Asda they want photos. What’s me is me – I can’t change who I am.

“The work’s been excellent; the owner, the manager and all the staff have been very positive.

“I was very surprised actually. I said last time work was going to be the most difficult thing.

“They have been great and very understandable knowing that I’m not just being a girl – I am a girl.”

However, the past 12 months have not been easy for Michelle as disparaging comments and odd stares still persist.

Those are aspects Michelle believes she will have to endure for the foreseeable future.

“I know everyone’s not going to understand,” she conceded.

“It does hurt and it’s got a bit better and hopefully it’ll get better this year and next year.

“I get a lot of abuse on the internet, a lot of negative responses, people calling me names. I’ve walked down the street, I’ve had comments.

“I have had trolls on the internet being abusive sometimes but if they have nothing to do, let them get on with it. It makes me feel important.

“My neighbours are great but every time they go out I’m always looking over my shoulder which is something I’ve got to put up with.”

After choosing to live as a woman for the rest of her life, Michelle has also decided to undergo hormone replacement therapy to make her appearance more feminine.

Daily doses of estrogen, the female sex hormone, and anti-androgens to block testosterone, are now taking effect on her body.

Michelle is pleased with the results, even though the treatment has at times had a significant impact on her mental health.

“I have been on estrogen and anti-androgens for just under 11 months now and I can tell my body is changing”, she said.

“I obviously dress as a girl when I’m out but sometimes forget to put make-up on and it’s more noticeable I am transitioning.

“I suffer from depression and anxiety at the moment and that’s due to the effects. I used to smoke but I can’t smoke anymore.

“I don’t really drink because it just affects me. I’ve not been to Glasgow in a year.

“I used to go and see my friends but every time I finish work I’m really, really tired. It has drained me.”

Michelle one day hopes to have full breast and genital transplants.

In the meantime, she has issued some words of advice to anyone who may be going through a similar situation.

She said: “Go for it, be yourself. That was my problem. Don’t get scared. Just be who you are."