A French and computing teacher in Kinlochleven High School has said the acceptance they have found in their classroom since coming out has been second to none.
Full-time teacher Charlie Putton has started a fundraising page to pay for “top surgery”, after telling friends, family, colleagues and pupils two years ago, they were non-binary.
Mx Putton said they didn’t know how their news – and name change – would be received, but in their heart, it was the only way to move forward in life.
Mx Putton uses the pronouns they/them, as they do not sit comfortably with a male or female gender.
They feel they are non-binary, and hope to pay for a transformational mastectomy to complete the change in their life.
The 31-year-old said: “When I came out two years ago it was a very scary moment for me, but my pupils have just accepted it.
“I came out as non-binary after the first lockdown. Many people in the lockdown had a reckoning and had to have a think about themselves, me included.
“For me, I was struggling with my gender for a long time and was not able to tell who I was.”
‘I was struggling for a long time’
Mx Putton, who was born in France, continued: “I have very supportive friends, colleagues and family. It was a bit like starting fresh and trying things – I eventually settled on the pronouns they and them, and that was the start of getting it right for me.
“I also changed my name. I tried a few names until I settled on Charlie, and when I said to my friends the name I was thinking of, they said ‘yes’. They said ‘you look like a Charlie’.
“I was not afraid of coming out as the people in Kinlochleven are amazing. My support has been exceptional.”
When asked by pupils in the school how they should be addressed, they said: “Mx (pronounced Mexx), or sir, or captain or your highness will do.”
“The kids are amazing, sometimes they try to be a bit edgy and say things, and the other kids call them out for it.
“It has been a great experience. I have not had any issues with anyone.”
After taking the step of telling everyone and changing their life, Mx Putton wants to proceed with the next stage.
The process involves a series of counselling sessions which is part of the pre operation requirement to have gender realignment surgery. Referral letters are also required which cost around £350. The waiting list on the NHS is around seven years.
Mx Putton said: “Two years ago when I first inquired I was told it would be three years, and I thought I would be able to live with that. But because of the pandemic that has now gone to around seven years. I don’t think I can wait five more years.
“People don’t see the hidden cost of having to wait, not only on my mental health, but on my body.
‘It feels right to me’
“I don’t know what it will be like in the future, I just know that what I am doing to get there feels right for me.
“For the last two years I have been wearing binders around my torso. They are hugely uncomfortable and damaging to my back.
“So I am asking people to support me and I have launched a Gofundme campaign to go privately.
“With the counselling sessions and the surgery and the recovery time it will cost around £10,000 – so I am asking for any support that can be given towards that.”
Conversation