Matrix Director Lilly Wachoswki Follows Sister, Comes Out As Transgender
The second of the Wachowskis, the sibling directing team behind ‘The Matrix’ movies, has come out as transgender.
Formerly known as Andy Wachowski, she has now revealed that she has transitioned and is going by the name Lilly.
Her sister Lana, formerly Larry, came out as transgender in 2012.
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Lilly said in a lengthy statement to the Windy City Times that it was after being doorstepped by the Daily Mail that she has decided to go public.
“SEX CHANGE SHOCKER—WACHOWSKI BROTHERS NOW SISTERS!!!” she wrote.
“There’s the headline I’ve been waiting for this past year. Up until now with dread and/or eye rolling exasperation. The 'news’ has almost come out a couple of times. Each was preceded by an ominous email from my agent - reporters have been asking for statements regarding the 'Andy Wachowski gender transition’ story they were about to publish.
“Last night while getting ready to go out for dinner my doorbell rang. Standing on my front porch was a man I did not recognize. 'This might be a little awkward,’ he said in an English accent.
“I remember sighing. Sometimes it’s really tough work to be an optimist. He proceeded to explain he was a journalist from the Daily Mail, which was the largest news service in the UK and was most definitely not a tabloid. And that I really had to sit down with him tomorrow or the next day or next week so that I could have my picture taken and tell my story which was so inspirational! And that I really didn’t want to have someone from the National Enquirer following me around, did I? BTW - The Daily Mail is so definitely not a tabloid.
“My sister Lana and I have largely avoided the press. I find talking about my art frustratingly tedious and talking about myself a wholly mortifying experience. I knew at some point I would have to come out publicly. 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.
“But apparently I don’t get to decide this.
“After he had given me his card, and I closed the door it began to dawn on me where I had heard of the Daily Mail. It was the 'news’ organization that had played a huge part in the national public outing of Lucy Meadows, an elementary school teacher and trans woman in the UK.
“An editorial in the 'not-a-tabloid’ demonized her as a damaging influence on the children’s delicate innocence and summarized 'he’s not only trapped 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.”
Lucy Meadows took her own life in 2013, after a column written by Richard Littlejohn was published in the Daily Mail.
The article was then referenced in the verdict by Michael Singleton, coroner for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Rossendale, who blamed the ‘sensational and salacious’ coverage as one of the motivating factors in her suicide.
“And now here they were, at my front door, almost as if to say - 'There’s another one! Let’s drag 'em out in the open so we can all have a look!’ So yeah, I’m transgender. And yeah, I’ve transitioned,” Lilly went on.
“I’m out to my friends and family. Most people at work know too. Everyone is cool with it. Yes, thanks to my fabulous sister they’ve done it before, but also because they’re fantastic people. Without the love and support of my wife and friends and family I would not be where I am today.”
The pair have directed a slew of blockbuster movies, after their stunning 'Matrix’ trilogy, including the adaptation of 'Cloud Atlas’ and last year 'Jupiter Ascending’.
Image credit: Windy City Times/Lilly Wachowski/AP
