Transsexual vicar to become first sex change priest (The Journal)
20th June 2000 Transsexual vicar to become Church’s first sex change priest
A transsexual vicar, who is to become the first serving Church of England priest to have a sex change operation, yesterday said he had wanted to be female since he was a small child. The Rev Peter Stone, who is the vicar at St Philip’s Church, Upper Stratton, Swindon, will have the operation later this year and then resume his position as the Rev Carol Stone. Mr Stone told a press conference in Bristol of his relief at receiving the blessing of the Bishop of Bristol for his plans and said it followed years of pain. He said: "It has been a lifetime’s journey. Among my earliest memories are of me wishing that I was other than I am. "Every night I prayed I would wake up as a girl. If there was another way, I would not be here today. Nobody does this by choice." He added: "I just want to match up my head and heart with my body." Mr Stone, who is twice divorced, said his 18-year-old daughter fully understood his decision. He said: "She has been tremendously supportive. She is doing her A-levels at the moment so she’s had a lot on her mind. "My mother, I think, wants my happiness, and has known about my struggle for many years." Asked if he had ventured out in public dressed as a woman, Mr Stone said: "The opportunities are extremely limited as a parish priest to appear in female dress." And asked why he chose the name Carol, he replied: "It’s a pretty name and I liked it. That’s all I want to say about it really." The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev Barry Rogerson, said he told the congregation of St Philip’s about their vicar’s decision after the morning service on Sunday. The Bishop told the press conference there was surprise, but almost everybody had been very supportive. He said Mr Stone had written to him in January and since that time he had studied the subject of transsexuals and had meetings with the Parochial Church Council in Upper Stratton. He said more than 90pc of the council wanted Mr Stone to continue after his treatment. | |||
