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Greens MP confirms her husband now a woman
Source: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,4057,22298840-2,00.html
By Carly Crawford and Ellen WhinnettAugust 24, 2007 01:00am
GREENS candidate for Williamstown Janet Rice has told of her husband’s decision to become a woman.
Ms Rice last night confirmed her partner’s male-to-female gender transition after 17 years of marriage.
Ms Rice, endorsed by the Greens to contest ex-premier Steve Bracks’ bayside seat, told the Herald Sun her husband, Peter Whetton, became Penelope four years ago.
“It was certainly challenging because we were happily married, but we are still happily married,” she said.
“It’s certainly been a big thing for us to go through but we got through it.
“Yes, we’re still happily married, yes, we still love each other.”
A blog maintained by notorious Labor Party member Andrew Landeryou, son of former state MP Bill Landeryou, first published references to the situation several weeks ago when Ms Rice was endorsed by the Greens.
Ms Rice, a former Maribyrnong mayor, accepts that her run at Spring St has generated interest in her private life.
“That said, the main game is that I’m standing for parliament.
“I have a partner who is transgender and we’re not hiding that but the main game is who I am.”
The couple’s teenage sons, John and Leon, were “very accepting” of their dad’s change, which she says has had little impact on her political fortunes.
“People know and it hasn’t been an issue,” Ms Rice said.
“We haven’t hidden it at all and it’s not an issue to people. The kids’ footy club, they accept it.
“Maribrynong is a fantastic place to live in accepting diversity and accepting that everyone is different.”
The Greens are extremely supportive of lesbian, homosexual, transgender and bisexual people and have specific policies aimed at firming up their rights in areas such as recognition of their relationships and financial security.
Ms Rice would not say whether Dr Whetton had undergone gender reassignment surgery.
“She socially transitioned four years ago but other than that, it’s our private life.
“As far as the world is concerned, Peter became Penny four years ago. It’s my private life.”
Ms Rice, who has taken leave from Maribrynong Council while she campaigns, believes she will poll well at the September 15 by-election.
“I think there’s an outside chance that I could win.
“I think it’s a possibility because I think there’s no such thing as a safe Labor seat any more.
“The Greens coming within a whisker of winning Melbourne at the last state election showed that to be the case.
“If I don’t win, it will turn the seat into a Greens-Labor marginal so it will get the Labor Party to start paying attention.
“People want more than just nice words from the Labor Party, they want action.”
Dr Whetton is a climate change researcher with the CSIRO. She has led its climate impact and risk research team since 2005.
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