Transsexual Polish Politician Takes Place In Parliament
Nov. 8 2011, Published 10:00 a.m. ET
In a historic first, a transsexual woman and an openly gay man took seats in Poland's newly elected parliament on Tuesday.
Anna Grodzka -- born a man and living his life as a woman -- took her seat in Poland's parliament Tuesday after she was elected on October 9.
Grodzka, 57, who underwent a sex change last year, was warmly-received by her parliament peers, who applauded as she made her way through the Warsaw assembly hall; one male lawmaker even kissed her on the cheek.
Meet The 'Grannies On Safari': 'We Inspire All Ages To Travel'
"It is a symbolic moment, but we owe this symbolism not to me but to the people of Poland because they made their choice," Grodzka -- who was born as Krzysztof Bęgowski -- told the AP. "They wanted a modern Poland, a Poland open to variety, a Poland where all people would feel good regardless of their differences ... I cannot fail them in their expectations."
- 'Diddy' Heard for First Time Behind Bars During Emotional Birthday Call: Jailed Rapper Praises His Kids' 'Strength'
- Joe Exotic Dumps Fiancé: Caged Tiger King Star Proposed to 33-Year-Old Jailed Mexican Gangbanger Lover Behind Bars
- Tragic One Direction Singer Liam Payne Dead Aged 31 After Horror Hotel Balcony Plunge: Celeb Tributes Pour In as Images Emerge of Smashed Up Hotel Room Strewn With White Powder and 'Drugs Foil'
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
Grodzka sat next to Robert Biedron, an activist who is the first openly gay person elected to Poland's parliament. Both belong to Palikot's Movement, a new progressive party that’s the third-largest party in the traditionally Roman Catholic country.
VIDEO: New Book Makes Startling Claims About Pope John Paul II
RELATED STORIES:
Sexy Transsexual Model Steams Up New Swimwear Campaign
Chaz Bono: ‘You Won’t Catch Gender Dysphoria By Watching Me Dance On TV’