Advertisement

‘Matrix’ filmmaker Lilly Wachowski comes out as transgender

Click to play video: '‘Matrix’ filmmaker Lilly Wachowski comes out as transgender'
‘Matrix’ filmmaker Lilly Wachowski comes out as transgender
WATCH: The second sibling of the filmmaking duo known as the Wachowskis has come out as transgender. – Mar 9, 2016

Matrix filmmaker Lilly Wachowski, formerly known as Andy Wachowski , has revealed she is a transgender woman in a powerful essay titled “Sex change shocker – Wachowski brothers now sisters!!!”

Lilly Wachowski, 48, said in the essay published in Chicago’s Windy City Times, she decided to go public with her announcement after a reporter from the U.K’s Daily Mail attempted to pressure her into an interview about transitioning.

Wachowski, known for films like the Matrix series, V for Vendetta and Cloud Atlas, made the announcement four years after her sister and collaborator, Lana Wachowski, revealed she was a transgender woman.

“I knew at some point I would have to come out publicly,” she wrote. “You know, when you’re living as an out transgender person it’s … kind of difficult to hide. I just wanted—needed some time to get my head right, to feel comfortable.”

Story continues below advertisement

In the essay, she said the journalist, identifying himself as a reporter with the Daily Mail, arrived at her door on Monday night asking her to reveal her gender identity for an article. She referred to the incident as a “threatened public outing against my will.”

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: How to refer to Caitlyn Jenner

Wachowski slammed the Daily Mail’s history in dealing with transgender issues, specifically referencing the 2013 death of Lucy Meadows, a primary school teacher and transgender woman who took her life after the Daily Mail published a column titled “He’s not only in the wrong body … he’s in the wrong job”.

“The reason I knew about her wasn’t because she was transgender, it was because three months after the Daily Mail article came out Lucy committed suicide.”

In a statement to the Guardian, DailyMail.com, the U.S. digital version of Mail Online, denied trying to coerce Wachowski into an interview.

“DailyMail.com categorically denies that it in any way tried to coerce Lilly Wachowski into revealing her gender transition,” said a spokesman.

Lilly Wachowski, has been married to Alicia Blasingame sincem1991 and thanked everyone for their support.

“Everyone is cool with it,” Wachowski wrote. “Yes, thanks to my fabulous sister they’ve done it before, but also because they’re
fantastic people.”

Story continues below advertisement

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) applauded Lilly Wachowski in a statement and published guidelines for reporting on transgender issues.

“GLAAD is thrilled that Lilly Wachowski is able to be her true and authentic self today, however, she should not have been forced to disclose her transgender identity before she was ready to do so,” said Nick Adams, GLAAD’s director of programs for Transgender Media.

“Journalists must learn that it is unacceptable to out a transgender person, in the same way it is unacceptable to out a person who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual.”

Curator Recommendations

Sponsored content

AdChoices