Using left function in sql statement

Hi

I have written a sql query, that display the Gender field as "Male" or "Female".
However, I need just the 1st letter.
I have tried using the left function, but it didn't work.
How do I do this? Below is my sql:

SELECT 
CONVERT(varchar, getdate(), 101)	     	 AS 'File Date',
CON.new_MembershipNumber			 AS 'Member ID',
CON.AccountIdName				 AS 'Company',
CON.FirstName					 AS 'First Name',
CON.MiddleName					 AS 'Middle Name',
CON.LastName					 AS 'Last Name',
CONVERT(varchar,CON.BirthDate,101)		 AS 'DOB',
(select value from stringmap
 where attributename  = 'gendercode' and
       attributevalue = CON.GenderCode and
       objecttypecode = 2 and
       langid = 1033)                            AS 'Gender'
FROM dbo.Contact CON
CON.StatusCode	 = 1