Transgender is nearly mainstream
A political candidate in Australia, 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 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 first published references to the situation several weeks ago when Ms Rice was endorsed as a candidate.
Ms Rice, a former Maribyrnong mayor, accepts that her run at Spring St has generated interest in her private life.
Dr Penelope Whetton is a climate change researcher with the CSIRO. She has led its climate impact and risk research team since 2005.
