Transsexual people and the public eye
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/06/public-transsexual-gay-person6/17/11
Juliet Jacques
There are few openly transsexual people in British public life -- and virtually none who have come out when already famous. The most notable exception remains acclaimed travel writer Jan Morris, who kept her gender reassignment secret until announcing its conclusion in 1972 and then publishing her autobiography, Conundrum. Since then, nobody approaching Morris's level of celebrity has publicly transitioned, with almost all of Britain's known transsexual people realising their identity before stepping into the spotlight.
By contrast, the hard work of post-war activists and the courage of openly gay, lesbian or bisexual people have created a climate where, slowly, public figures can discuss their sexual preferences without press intrusion -- or pressure to act as advocates -- ruining their lives. Since Thatcher's Conservatives passed the deplorable Section 28 in 1988, banning the "promotion" of homosexuality in schools, progress has been remarkable: having apologised for this legislation, David Cameron's government now retains 13 openly gay Tory MPs, and there is now a diverse range of visible gay, lesbian or bisexual people in the arts, media and, gradually, sport.
