When doctor met with Mr. France (Samuel) he was accompanied by his wife Rachel. (He had adopted France as his family name.) They were a striking couple -- tall, attractive, dark haired, severe, and earnest. Both had their heads covered, typical of members of Orthodox Jewish sects. Doctor had the impression that they were on the last leg of a long journey. We got right down to business. Rachel explained that she loved her sister in law, but that Orthodox Jewish law would forbid them from "recognizing" her (that is, having any relationship with her) if she underwent a sex change operation. They both agreed that since father's death Randi's personality had changed, with her requests for sex change coming on the heels of father's death. Both viewed sexual reassignment as a horrifying alternative, at best mutilative.

The Frances could accept Randi's homosexuality; indeed, they viewed her homosexual preference as her best level of adaptation. They acknowledged that while Orthodox Judaism viewed homosexuality as sinful (involving possible excommunication), they could compromise on this point. It was apparent that members of their Orthodox community knew of Randi's true female sexual status (she had visited their community), and that the Frances would be forced by the community to make a choice between her or them. It was a painful dilemma. They loved Randi but they could only love her as a female.

As the Frances talked about Randi, it was apparent that they were a very intelligent and psychologically minded couple. They not only discussed Randi's personality problems, but they also offered interpretations of her behavior. They were desperate. It was as if they were trying to save a part of themselves. Indeed, when they first heard of Randi's SRS wishes they conspired with mother to kidnap Randi. A wild story was concocted; Randi would have to travel to Europe to secure a family heirloom; once there she would be whisked away and deprogrammed. While the plan was eventually abandoned, it reflected the agonizing efforts of the entire family to rid themselves of Randi's transsexualism (which had now become the family's core problem).

The France's described Randi as an immature, attention seeking adolescent who was strong willed, stubborn, and rebellious. They described her as a typical impulsive runaway youth, involved in drugs and sex. Moreover, they viewed her as a chronic liar; someone who often exaggerated reality, but also one who told wild stories to "con" people. When she did not get her way, she either threatened suicide or complained about her life threatening heart condition (a complete fabrication). She used threats and intimidation to coerce and manipulate people to get what she wanted.

Once, on a transatlantic flight, Randi feigned a heart attack and had the stewardesses hovering over her, providing oxygen and a private sleeping space. At other times she became frankly paranoid, blaming others for her problems but also convincing people around her that she was being deprived of some aspect of her rights, or that her life was endangered. She told these stories with such confidence and aplomb that she made them seem credible. She was able to draw money at will from the father's estate by lying to the trustee (an attorney) that her brother in Europe needed it and saying that she was his liaison. (see THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY IN THE DYNAMICS OF FEMALE TRANSSEXUALISM PART III)