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Closer Real Life Closer Real Life

'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Tuesday 05 January 2010

He’s only 15, but shockingly Bradley Cooper is set to become one of the UK’s youngest transgender patients – and is already on an NHS waiting list for sex change surgery.

He’s been dressing as a girl since he was 13, has changed his name to Ria and hopes to start hormone injections next month to make him more feminine.

“I’m young, but I know what I want,” says Ria. “I’ve always wished I was a girl like my sisters and loved trying on their clothes from when I was just six.

“I hate the fact I was born in a boy’s body. I feel disgusting and uncomfortable and I know I’ll feel happier as a girl.”

Incredibly, mum Elaine, 40, supports Ria’s decision.

Bradley’s parents split up when he was three and his bodybuilder dad Bjorn, 41, moved out, leaving him with his mum and three sisters, Claire, now 24, Katy, 21, and Sophie, 18.

“I bought him Action Man dolls, but he wanted to play with his sisters’ Barbies – he’d even steal my lipstick,” recalls full-time mum Elaine, 40, from Hull. “By the time he was nine I started to wonder whether he was gay. I worried he’d get picked on.”

At primary school, Bradley’s friends were girls. If they played fancy dress, he’d always opt for frilly dresses and pretty shoes, even at the age of 10.

“I can’t recall ever feeling like a boy or it feeling right wearing boys’ clothes,” says Ria.

Aged 13, Bradley plucked up the courage to go out in public dressed as a girl for the first time with his cousin Stacy.

“I’d confided in Stacy, so we painted our nails and she helped me pluck my eyebrows,” says Ria. “I bought a curly brown wig, then put on hot pants, a silver top and heels. I was terrified people would stare, but no one did. It was the best time of my life.”

Then, a year ago, he started seriously considering a sex change. When he talked to his mum, she begged him not to rush into anything but agreed to let him change his name to Ria and start dressing as a girl full-time.

Now, Ria has hair extensions, shaves her legs and often wears fake nails. She loves dresses and wears a D-cup padded bra to give the impression of having breasts.

And after consulting a GP, Ria is ready to start the physical change to become a woman.

Her mum explains: “I can see this is what Ria’s been crying out for her whole life. She’s so much happier living as a girl. It’s going to be emotionally and physically hard, but it’s harder living as something that she doesn’t want to be, so I’ll support her, no matter what.”

By Victoria Raymond

Read the full story about Ria's battle to become a woman in this week's issue of Closer magazine, out now!

Posted by chick52

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

I think this story is amazing and that he had the confidence to be what he wanted to be, the world is full of nasty people but this didn't bother him. Well done, you should be a role model for a lot of people out there.

Posted 05/01/2010 10:50:57

Posted by bobo99

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Its a tough dilema here. He's only 15 and still developing emotionally and physically so are hormone injections and surgery really the right way to go? maybe they should wait until he's in his early 20s and has fully developed to wait and see how he feels then. I am not against transgenders or people wanting to have sex changes but in children it should definitely be approached with caution.

That said I wish him and his family the best of luck and commend their bravery in speaking out.

Posted 05/01/2010 11:20:24

Posted by gazza154

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

tough i dont think so?? why does he go around chatting up grown men and insisiting he's a woman then when he's only 15yrs of age??hard for him to have the op but not hard to be honest and possibly ruin people's lives???

Posted 05/01/2010 20:17:09

Posted by amyp123456

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

I have known bradley since he was 3/4. I was a close friend of his sister 'Claire' I know this is what he has wanted his whole life. I take my hat off to you for been so brave and upfront with every one instead of hiding it and putting your self threw pain. Well done and i hope you enjoy your future as one of us xx love Amy P (hull) Send my love to the family xXx

Posted 05/01/2010 23:32:39

Posted by Jessica.x

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

I think Ria is very brave to undertake this change so young in her life. I'm 37 and have only recently started living as a female but wished I'd done it at Ria's age. I know only to well what feelings she is experiencing and wish her all the very best for the future. She looks lovely and she has her whole life to look forward to. "Go girl".
Jessica, Worcester.

Posted 06/01/2010 20:55:14

Posted by claire-26-27

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

I think that what ever anyone wants to do or choose to do with their life, then they should do it. Ria knew from an early age that she was ment to be a girl, and thats not because she chose too, its because thats who she is! We all have one life and what ever some people may think, its her choice! Not anyone elses! People need to stop saying what should and shouldnt be done. Just live your lives and let everyone else live theirs! Yes she is only 15, but its obv not a phase as she would have grown out of it by now! She looks fab! and it must be hard enough for her to go through with all this without narrow minded people having their opinoins! If its not effecting you..let people get on with their lives! U go Ria!! Wish I had legs like you!!!! xxxxxxxx

Posted 07/01/2010 00:57:10

Posted by d owen

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

really proud of you :) you know were i am if you need us for anything love you xxxxxdiana n adele :):)

Posted 07/01/2010 01:41:49

Posted by Zenny

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Good Luck Ria from Zenny x

Posted 08/01/2010 12:56:31

Posted by Zenny

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Good Luck Ria from Zenny x

Posted 08/01/2010 12:56:43

Posted by TSRach

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Comment to the poster a few above 'looking for a nice boyfriend who accepts me' is not 'going around and chatting up grown men' - how many 15 year old girls currently go out with 17 year old guys. Should we lambast them for 'going around...etc'? The comment about being honest is ironic considering she has just put herself in a national magazine declaring who she is. You yourself have just proved how tough this can be so well done Ria and I am so sorry that there are people out there who show this sort of narrow attitude

Posted 09/01/2010 08:34:19

Posted by usual 1

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

I think Ria is very brave for going public as there is always the chance of a backlash from narrow minded, ignorant people. I do however feel that Ria is quite young to make such a life changing dicision. I couldnt decide what I wanted for breakfast at 15 nevermind what I wanted for the rest of life. It's great that she has the support of her family - Good Luck !

Posted 11/01/2010 13:43:03

Posted by narni

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Babe We Will Alwasy Be 100% Behind You. Your So Brave Ria :) Love You Lots! xx

Posted 11/01/2010 18:47:04

Posted by catcarvell

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

You go girl.....you clearly know wot you want and I think your extremely braveand also lookin bloody fantastic ( better than me lol)!! I know it's a little different but i was told wen i was 14 that the man i loved was just a teenage crush.....15 years on and we're happily married with 2 children, follow your heart and do wot feels right and keep looking georgous!!!!

Posted 14/01/2010 00:48:44

Posted by withie

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

This is a subject that i admit im rather ignorant to, however i cant imagine how awful it must b too feel as if your someone else

I can't relate to this but at 15 think this young person is very brave and i wish the whole family gd luck

Posted 14/01/2010 15:44:01

Posted by lil--angel

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Good for you, ignore all those small minded people outthere all the best for the future

Posted 14/01/2010 19:40:55

Posted by Scarlett Jennings

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

How brave and sensible for doing what is right for you.

Ria- you are gorgeous and very feminine, also love your top...

Posted 14/01/2010 20:38:32

Posted by douchee

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

AHAHAHAHA! YOU ASS

Posted 20/01/2010 11:43:35

Posted by douchee

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

good on you girl,personally i love my big impressive privates and will use them to my full advantage...give me a call ria xxx

Posted 20/01/2010 11:47:11

Posted by slinkysponge

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

HAHAHA! What a freek! Why cant people be comfertable in their own skin except we have to pretend this is normal and leave comments like... go girl! HAHAHA! You will never be a women and spend ur life trying to be something ur not!

Posted 25/01/2010 11:58:22

Posted by withie

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

slinkysponge- you are so narrowminded, perhaps people arent comfortable in their own skin because people like you are so ignorant to their feelings

If your so comfortable in your own skin why does it bother you what choices others are making and why leave a comment like that just to make a 15yr old child feel uncomfortable, if you ask me thats abusing the point of this blog ur not debating your just being bad mannered

I only hope that one day when something in your life seems irrational to others they show u support rather than judge so quickly

Ria - ur situation isn't somethin i know much about but i wish you the best of luck and hope negative comments such as discussed dnt put u down- be whatever you want to be ... as long as your happy!!

Posted 25/01/2010 12:14:09

Posted by slinkysponge

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

Peace and love n all 'withie' but this is exactly what this blog is for, people to express their feelings. If someone wants to sell their story for a few quid then expect negative comments. Im not being narrow minded im expressing my own feelings to this freek of nature! If people are not happy with this they shouldnt sell their stories.
Be what ever you want to be as long as you are true to your self, changing ur self isnt the answer!

Posted 25/01/2010 13:36:25

Posted by luvyalongtym

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

slinkysponge - get over yourself! how do you have the right to call Ria a freak of nature!! you say be true to yourself well do you not think Ria IS being true to herself by doing this. there are many people out there that feel they are born into the wrong body and to be TRUE TO THEMSELF change so they can have a happy life!!! I really hope that one day if you have children and one of them was not happy you would be a bit more open minded!!

Ria i hope you will be happy in what you do Good Luck!

Posted 28/01/2010 08:11:13

Posted by withie

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

luvyalongtym i couldn't agree more

slinkysponge you are unbeleivably bad mannered! i wonder how old you r ... i mean if a child aged around 7 called someone a 'freek of nature' it would boder on bullying yet you throw these claims around like ur some sort of perfect being.
a peice of felsh ( a penis) isn't who you are it's just a peice of flesh on your body, i would find this situation difficult if it was my own child but i would certainly support them
who you are and bein tru to urself is EXACTLY what rias doing

Also who gave you the right to decide what was normal and what was freeky...perhaps someone else thinks that something about you is rather freeky!!

People shouldn't b so judgemental allow Ria and everyone else to b happy as long as there not hurting anyone

Posted 28/01/2010 08:16:50

Posted by slinkysponge

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

HAHAHA!
Oh the troubles for having an opinion! A piece of 'felsh' (penis) DOES determine who you are 'withie'. Or havent you done biology yet at school?
AND 'loveyalongtym' being open minded I am, but are you with a name like that hmmmm??

Posted 29/01/2010 11:46:24

Posted by maudejade12

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

luvyalongtym if he wants to be a girl and feels comforable and has loads of support why not.you cant call him a freak of nature unless you have been in his shoes.just rude!!!!

Posted 10/02/2010 13:00:51

Posted by luvyalongtym

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

maudejade12 - i dont think that you read what i wrote right!? i was saying that "people do not have to right to call someone a freak of nature just because they wont a sex change!!!" its SLINKYSPONGE that said that and is the RUDE one!

Posted 15/02/2010 08:05:28

Posted by jessey

RE: 'I'm 15 and desperate for my sex swap op'

you go bradley :D good luck babes, love you lots and see you soon jessey x

Posted 03/03/2010 15:25:09



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