Effingham’s St Lawrence Church Hosts Transgender Talk

Published on: 19 Jun, 2019
Updated on: 22 Jun, 2019

Carmel Plumpton talks to Effingham reporter Chris Dick about her transgender life following a talk to a church-based audience.

On Saturday morning, June 15, Effingham’s St Lawrence Church held its first ever transgender talk by Carmel Plumpton.

An audience predominantly of women from Fetcham and Effingham congregations attend a breakfast talk by Carmel Plumpton.

While meant to be a women-only event, seven men who had served the breakfasts opted to remain for the talk. They along with others in the audience were transfixed listening to Carmel being interviewed by the Revd Kim Plumpton… her mother.

The Q&A secession ended with the Revd Mandy MacVean of St Lawrence Church thanking Carmel for coming to speak to everyone and commenting on how it had taken courage to do so.

Then to loud applause, the Revd Kim Plumpton said to her daughter: “What can I say… I am so proud of you.”

The Revd Kim Plumpton (right) interviewing her daughter Carmel, in St Lawrence Church Hall, Effingham.

After her talk Carmel was kind enough to provide a little background and answer a few questions for The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

Carmel is a manager for a well-known supermarket chain. She said that they had been supportive throughout her change but that some customers could be nasty. Carmel spoke about the inevitable abuse and discrimination that the LGBT and transgender community suffer from on a day-to-day basis.

Aged 29, Carmel had undergone transgender enhancement surgery six years earlier. She explained that she had started to feel things were not right when she was a boy around the age of 11 or 12. None of what had happened subsequently had been without stress, feelings of depression or had been overcome without the help of family and friends.

Carmel said: “The NHS was hopeless. For any form of counselling there was a four-month waiting list which was too long. Perhaps for other reasons I’ve had some very low times and even contemplated suicide. But I am happy now. Although like everyone else, there are down days.”

Carmel has not taken part in any group therapy sessions but believes that they might be useful. On the other hand, having gone through what she has, she now offers support to others considering such a change.

She said: “I want to help other people and maybe work full-time giving talks and counselling.”

Being transgender, even with her passport changed to reflect her different status, has done little to alter the way people react to her. Carmel explained that attempting to have any relationship with men could be problematic as often they did not want to be seen with someone who was transgender.

Other facts that came to light were that Carmel has a fortnightly show on Surrey Hills online radio, her only other talk has been a diversity talk to Surrey Police at its headquarters in Guildford, she is contemplating writing a book, and that she will be on hormone therapy for the rest of her life.

Carmel has a long journey ahead but with the loving support of family and friends she will find a way through and hopes to continue to support others going through a time of transition.