Lancing woman awarded OBE for services to transgender equality

Joanne Monck, 65, has been awarded an OBE for services to transgender equality after years of supporting the LGBTQI community.

After initially ignoring her brown envelope in December because she thought it was from the tax office, Joanne said she was ‘completely blown away’ to be recognised.

“It’s very difficult to describe how I feel – overwhelmed?” she said. “I’m privileged, honoured, humbled, it’s really quite surreal.”

Joanne transitioned six years ago at the age of 58, having previously been married with twin boys, now aged 38.

Her wife passed away in 2000 and she said it was afterwards, during a time of reflection, she realised ‘I cannot go on living my life this way’.

She had known there was ‘something different’ about her from the age of five, she said, but at that time being transgender ‘wasn’t even in the dictionary’.

Joanne completed her transition and became legally female six years ago, quickly starting work as an advocate for LGBTQI equality.