Man Swaps Gender to Become a Woman After Falling in Love With Lesbian

40-year-old former military sniper, Charles Pontiero quit the U.S. army and moved to Britain where he now lives as a woman to be with his (her) lesbian lover.

He has been saving up for sex-change surgery after settling down in Coventry, West Midlands, with girlfriend Maria 29, who he met online. Charles changed her name to Alessia - and switched a life in the army for a job as an actress. See pictures of Alessia before the surgery after the cut...

 'I always felt more like a girl than a boy, but I felt like I had to hide my female side when I was in the army.

'I didn't feel like I was really being myself.

'My family have a military background, so it felt like it was always the thing that I was going to do - but it wasn't right for me.

'My family have always known that I feel more woman than man, so there were no surprises when I told them that I wanted to live as a woman.

'They are all very supportive of me - and I'm finally happy now I've changed my name and found
Maria.

'I've always wanted to change my name, but it
was only when I moved to Britain that I realised how easy it is to change your name here - so I just decided to do it.

Alessia, has two teenage children and has married three times.