A UK Conservative Party representative has become the first MP to come out as trans.
In a Twitter post this morning, Welsh MP Jamie Wallis said they had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and had felt that way since they were a child.
They said they took the decision to come out after being raped last September, noting that their mental health has “really taken a tumble” in the months since.
The Bridgend MP also apologised for fleeing the scene of a crash last November, noting that “I did so because I was terrified”.
“I’m trans. Or to be more accurate, I want to be,” they wrote. “I’ve been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and I’ve felt this way since I was a very young child.
“I had no intention of ever sharing this with you. I always imagined I would leave politics well before I ever said this out loud.”
It's time. https://t.co/cbt0tKQZuN pic.twitter.com/IUaCjm9PtE
— Jamie Wallis MP (@JamieWallisMP) March 30, 2022
They said they experienced a “close call” in April 2020 when they were blackmailed by someone who outed them to their father and sent pictures to other family members.
The blackmailer was convicted and sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
“For a while it seemed as though I would be able to get on with things and move on,” said Wallis.
“Being an MP and hiding something like this was always going to be tough, but I arrogantly assumed I was up for it. Well, I’m not.”
The Conservative MP said they were raped last September by someone they met online.
“When I chose to say ‘no’ on the basis that he wouldn’t wear a condom, he chose to rape me,” they said.
“I have not been myself since this incident and I don’t think I will ever recover. It is not something you ever forget and it is not something you ever move on from.
“Since then, things have really taken a tumble. I am not OK.”
Wallis said they crashed their car in late November and fled the scene because they were “terrified”.
“I have PTSD and I honestly have no idea what I was doing except I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of fear,” they said.
“I am sorry that it appears I ‘ran away’ but this isn’t how it happened in the moment.”
They said a dinner with their Parliamentary colleagues last night reminded them of the "incredible support those you work with can provide”.
“Also, I was reminded how important it is to be yourself. I have never lived my truth and I’m not sure how.
“Perhaps it starts with telling everyone”.
Wallis did not share a new name or ask for any pronoun change.
If you are anyone you know has been affected by the issues discussed in this article, you can contact the National 24-Hour Helpline at 1800 77 8888.
