Abigail Austen

About

Journalist famously known for being the first officer to begin gender reassignment while in the British Army. The public legal dispute regarding her forced resignation led to the formalization of policy on transgender solders within the British Army, now allowing soldiers to transition while serving. She also set the first Scottish legal precedents regarding transphobic crimes while serving as a police officer in Glasgow.

Before Fame

She studied at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen in the Northeast of Scotland. She endured a largely troubled childhood, suffering sexual abuse which lasted several years. She initially enlisted in the British Army in order to conceal her gender dysphoria.

Trivia

After serving as an officer in the Royal Irish Rangers for four years, she left the army and retrained as a video journalist. She held a position at the Scottish Television network and was often dispatched to war zones as a result of her military background. Her story became inspiration behind the documentary, Sex Change Solider, in 2008.

Family Life

She grew up in a conservative Christian family. After beginning her gender reassignment, she was disowned by her family.

Associated With

She has publicly opposed the legislation and views of politicians such as President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May.