Joanne Wingate claims the MoD sexually discriminated against her because of her gender-bending activities. The former Warrant Officer Class 2, who joined the Army as a man in 1981, was (not surprisingly) the first person in the service to change gender.

She claims that she was refused access to appropriate medical treatment after she underwent gender reassignment (aka "the op").

Mr/Miss Wingate also claimed she was sexually harassed and suffered derogatory remarks, unfair treatment and some of the lads continued to refer to her as a bloke, which she found "very offensive and upsetting".

The Equal Opportunities Commission, which is supporting Miss Wingate's case, says transsexuals have legal protection against discrimination at work under the Gender Reassignment Regulations 1999. The Commission added that it wasn't responsible for the wanky-sounding nature of regulations, the above being a good example.

Editorial Comment:   

Another Frome resident makes the national news. How do they do it?! It can be simply explained in these terms "Folk in Frome are right queer!" Here at the Somerset Sub-Standard we decided to take a more scientific approach to answering the question.

We spoke to world-renowned scientist, Dr Brian Cohen, an expert on odd people and professor of heavy drinking at Bristol University. The good doctor is a regular on the club circuit and the second most brainiest man in the West Country. Here's a sample of our intensive questioning session:

SSS: Why are people in Frome so weird?

BC: I don't know.

SSS: Erm....ok. Can you hazard a guess?

BC: It's something to do with the water. More than that I cannot say for legal reasons.

SSS (begging pathetically): Ooooooooooh! Go on tell us please!

BC: Ok then. During the late 1980's, the then Tory Government set in motion a top-secret research programme. This involved pumping large amounts of genetically-modified piss into the River Avon. It was supposed to increase wildlife and rejuvenate the landscape. Unfortunately, this had some adverse side effects on the people of Frome.

SSS: Good lord no! We'll all done for! Run to the hills!

BC: Please calm down. You might bring on one of my nose-bleeds.

SSS: Sorry. Thanks for talking to us anyway. It's been most interesting.

BC: That's all right. Can you untie me now?

SSS: Yeah sure.

BC: Bye then.

THE END