Russell Harty Plus Show: April Ashley (1973)

Show: The Russell Harty Plus Show
Release Year: 1973

On October 19, 1973, the Russell Harty Plus show, a popular British television talk show, featured an appearance by April Ashley, a model who had become a public figure due to her pioneering journey as one of the first transgender women to undergo sex reassignment surgery in the 1960s. In what can only be described as a captivating and candid conversation, Ashley took center stage and discussed her personal experiences, challenges, and perspectives, providing the British public with an insight into the life of a transgender woman during an era when societal understanding of gender identity was limited. The 1970s was a decade marked by significant cultural and social changes, but transgender individuals, especially transgender women like Ashley, faced widespread misunderstanding and prejudice. Her appearance on the show, therefore, was not just a moment for personal reflection but also a critical act of visibility for transgender people.

 

Host Russell Harty opened the segment with a reference to Ashley’s dramatic and controversial past, which had made her a subject of both fascination and ridicule in the media. She had first gained attention when she underwent gender-affirming surgery, an act which was considered groundbreaking and audacious at the time. As Harty remarked, "She first came to public notice when her name was blazoned across the front pages of the Sunday newspapers as the man who had had the effrontery to undergo an operation and become a woman." This public scrutiny, Harty implied, was part of the broader media narrative surrounding Ashley’s decision to transition. 

 

However, as the conversation unfolded, Ashley described a much more personal and painful journey. Beyond the headlines, she had to endure the heartache of a difficult divorce from her husband and even legal battles where a judge questioned her womanhood. Ashley explained how, after marrying a man, she was told in a court of law that she "didn’t measure up to being a woman anyway." This stark moment in her life revealed the stark prejudice and legal hurdles transgender individuals faced at the time, even as they sought acceptance in society. Despite these challenges, Ashley’s forthrightness in discussing her life and experiences made her an important figure in the conversation around gender identity in the UK. She stood before the public as someone who had undergone immense personal transformation, both physically and emotionally, and had navigated public scrutiny and private turmoil. 

 

One of the first things the viewers noticed was Ashley’s choice of attire: a dress described as "mediaeval Japanese," which she humorously clarified was actually "made in England by Japanese" designers. This moment of light-hearted exchange showed Ashley’s engaging personality and also served as an early reminder of the complexities of her identity - just as her dress had origins both in Japan and England, so too had her identity evolved across cultural and personal boundaries. This fusion of diverse elements reflected Ashley’s own journey of self-discovery and reinvention. 

 

As the conversation shifted to Ashley’s past, Harty inquired about the timeline of her transition, asking how long ago she had undergone the sex reassignment surgery. Ashley responded somewhat flippantly, saying, "God, I can’t remember. I think 1950." This humorous retort hinted at the passage of time and perhaps her desire to move beyond defining moments of her transition. Harty then inquired about Ashley’s relationship with her mother during this period. Ashley revealed that her mother, who was unaware of her decision to transition prior to the surgery, had assumed that she was merely getting a nose job. This reflected the secrecy surrounding Ashley’s transition; as she said, "I thought it was a very private thing, you see. I mean, why burden other people with those problems?" 

 

The conversation also touched upon the emotional and psychological challenges Ashley faced, including the fear and confusion she experienced when, as a young person, her body began to develop in ways that did not align with her gender identity. She described this period as "terrifying," recalling how, instead of developing physically as a boy, her body began to show signs of femininity, including the growth of hips and breasts. Ashley’s candidness about the emotional turmoil of these years gave viewers a glimpse into the deeply personal nature of transitioning - one that went far beyond medical procedures and into the realm of identity and self-acceptance. 

 

The discussion then turned to Ashley’s relationships, notably her marriage to a man. Harty referred to her time as "Mrs. Corbett," a name she held for seven years before the marriage ended in divorce. Ashley was forthright about her initial shock at being recognized as Mrs. Corbett, laughing, "For seven years I’d been plain Mrs. Corbett. Well, not plain, I was the Honourable Mrs. Corbett." This observation highlighted the contradiction between Ashley's outward life as a married woman and her internal struggle with her gender identity. 

 

Despite her public persona, Ashley emphasized that her private life had been filled with both emotional and physical adjustments. She acknowledged that while her surgery had transformed her physically, there were still many societal barriers she had to confront, including how she was perceived by others in intimate relationships. Harty's question about her sexual identity revealed Ashley’s nuanced understanding of gender and sexuality: “Biologically I’m a male, but socially I’m a female.” She expanded on this, reflecting on the paradox of her identity - if a man engaged with her physically knowing she was biologically male, it would render him a homosexual, but if he were unaware of her biology, he would experience her as a woman. 

 

Throughout the interview, Ashley was candid about the public’s ongoing curiosity about her, particularly in terms of her appearance. At one point, Harty asked, "Are you still an object of curiosity in England?" to which Ashley responded, "Oh, I think so." The remark reflected the relentless gaze of the public and media, which continued to scrutinize her every move. However, Ashley’s response revealed her resilience and a sense of defiance in the face of such attention. She also explained that despite assumptions about her undergoing cosmetic procedures, she had not "done anything like Wick," emphasizing that her beauty was natural and not the result of excessive surgical intervention. "Nothing has been touched on my face at all. My nose is my own," she proudly declared. This interaction underscored a larger issue in transgender representation at the time - an obsession with external appearances and the invasive nature of public curiosity. Ashley pushed back against these notions, asserting her authenticity and challenging stereotypes that transgender individuals had to fit a certain mold of beauty or femininity. 

 

As the interview drew to a close, Ashley was asked about her thoughts on aging. She expressed a longing for a quieter life, away from the constant media attention. "I long to get away from that April Ashley image," she confided, yearning for a simpler, more private existence. She envisioned a future where she could escape the pressure of being a public figure, saying, "I long for the little house and the country. Thatched roof." However, her wit shone through once again as she quipped, “No, no, no, no. God forbid. I'd hate a thatched roof.” This reflection on aging was juxtaposed with Ashley’s desire to continue embracing her identity, even as it evolved with time. She affirmed that even as she aged, she would be proud of her hair, which she described as "beautiful." 

 

April Ashley's appearance on The Russell Harty Plus Show remains an important moment in the history of transgender visibility. At a time when transgender individuals were rarely seen in the media, let alone given a platform to speak about their experiences with such openness and honesty, Ashley provided a rare and nuanced perspective. Her conversation not only addressed the personal aspects of being transgender but also highlighted the social and legal barriers that transgender people faced. Her ability to speak candidly about her life, her experiences with love, and her struggles with identity helped lay the foundation for future discussions on gender and sexuality, and she became a trailblazer for transgender visibility in the media. In hindsight, her appearance on the show can be seen as a significant step forward in the long journey toward broader societal understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals. Through her courage and resilience, April Ashley made an indelible impact on the discourse surrounding gender identity, showing that the complexities of being transgender are not to be feared or misunderstood, but embraced with compassion and understanding.

 

via: lolaclips.com

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