Singapore - Bridget (not her real name), 36, is opting to remain physically male, so she can remain married to someone she considers the love of her life.

The landscaper, 36, says: "It's a compromise. If it weren't for my family, I probably would have gone for a sex change operation.

"For now, I'm content to be as true to myself without surgery."

Though still a married man with kids, Bridget requests that we call her "she" and use a female name.

The landscaper says: "It's a compromise. If it weren't for my family, I probably would have gone for a sex change operation.

"For now, I'm content to be as true to myself without surgery."

When The New Paper on Sunday met her and her wife, Julia (not her real name), in person at a mall last Friday, Bridget was dressed in a woman's top, scarf, slacks, shoes and carrying a small black handbag.

Julia, an engineer, was dressed more sedately in a denim skirt and a black short-sleeved top.

Bridget reveals that she's been cross-dressing since the age of 10.

As a child, she wore her mother's chiffon skirts when nobody was looking, and wore knee-high stockings under her uniform.

Over the years, she has worn dresses, frilly skirts, leggings, dresses, heels and nail polish.

She has multiple earrings on each ear. She has around 250 scarves at home - all women's. She coquettishly says: "They are my one indulgence. I've almost lost count of how many I have.

"I'm a woman trapped in a married man's body.

"My brain is female. I have a feminine sense of design and taste."

But all this while, she's still attracted to women.

She says firmly: "I'm neither gay nor a transvestite (a man who dresses in women's clothes)."

In fact, she says that she is still very much in love with her wife. They met when they were 16. They clicked instantly and could talk about almost everything.

They soon became best friends, and eventually entered into a relationship.

Two months in, Bridget confessed to Julia about liking to wear girl's clothes.

Julia says: "At the time, I was surprised but I thought it might be a phase or a quirk."

They continued to date and got married when they were 28.

Their sex life was healthy, says the couple. They had their first son at age 32 and their second at age 34.

But three years ago, before the birth of their second child, Bridget announced she was going to live life as a woman.

"I felt I was old enough and mentally strong enough to live my life honestly."

Since then, she has been growing out her hair and dressing in women's clothing.

Her wife, 36, says: "I just want to give Bridget space. If I think Bridget's gone overboard, I will speak out."

It's clear they are still very much in love. When they walk around, they still hold hands and are loving towards each other, calling each other "dear".

The engineer adds that she does feel hurt when people talk about Bridget and their marriage behind her back.

She says: "My parents don't know about her transitioning and I do fear they might one day find out and judge her.

"But as a spouse, I support her 100 per cent.

"Ultimately, what matters is on the inside. She has promised not to dress too outrageously and I'm fine with that."

Bridget says: "I am so thankful that she has accepted me.

"Very few transgender people have found love. But for me, I found it early in life, with my best friend."

While the couple's sex life has waned since Bridget came out to live as a woman, they still have sex occasionally, during holidays.

But Julia harbours a real concern.

She says: "I fear that my children might grow up and not respect their father."

Their sons are aged four and two.

Bridget says: "My children call me 'Dad'. But I'm both their father and mother.

"They are also still too young to notice that our family is different from others.

"But if they or their friends ask, I'd explain that my body and brains don't agree and it's not something I chose.

"I dress the way I do to make my brain and body match."

Is Bridget afraid that her children will be teased in the future?

"We'll take it one step at a time.

"You have only one life. I want to live mine honestly."

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