Former MoD boss is first transsexual geisha

PA
Wednesday, 22 October 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/former-mod-manager-becomes-first-transsexual-geisha-969379.html

A 70-year-old former Ministry of Defence manager today claimed to be the first transsexual to be allowed to dress as a geisha in Japan's historical city of Kyoto.

Tourists travelling to the traditional home of the geisha often take the opportunity to dress up in decorative kimonos, donning a wig and thick white make-up.

But Mary Murdoch, formerly Malcolm Murdoch, said that until now only biological females have been permitted to play dress up.