Poland: Transsexual woman and openly gay man take seats in new parliament in his

[Shana A]

Poland: Transsexual woman and openly gay man take seats in new parliament in historic change

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, November 8, 7:30 AM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/poland-transsexual-and-openly-gay-man-take-seats-in-new-parliament-in-sign-of-historic-change/2011/11/08/gIQAUY1yzM_story.html

WARSAW, Poland — A transsexual woman and an openly gay man took seats in Poland's newly elected parliament Tuesday, historic firsts that reflect profound social change in this traditionally Roman Catholic country.

Anna Grodzka, who was born a man but underwent a sex change operation, entered the assembly hall wearing a burgundy skirt and jacket. Several men and women shook her hand, while one male lawmaker kissed her on the cheek.

[...]

Grodzka said she felt overwhelmed by emotion, particularly when the session opened with the playing of the national anthem and when she later took her oath of office.

"It is a symbolic moment, but we owe this symbolism not to me but to the people of Poland because they made their choice in the elections," Grodzka told The Associated Press.