August 1, 2012
In Promoting New Film, 'Matrix' Director Reveals Trans Self
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The director of 1999's iconic "The Matrix" recently made her first public appearance as a transgender woman while promoting an upcoming film, the New York Post reports.
Lana Wachowski, formerly Larry Wachoswki, along with her brother Andy and co-director Tom Tykwer all appeared in a YouTube video promoting their new film, "Cloud Atlas." This was the first time Lana appeared as a trans woman in public.
The Post points out Lana has been transitioning for years and rumors about Lana's sex life first surfaced in 2002 when the director was going through a divorce with wife Thea Bloom. The newspaper claims the split up occurred after being photographed in a popular LA S&M club called the Dungeon.
In 2003, movie journalist Dave Poland wrote a column for Gothamist and claimed that the director was in the process of undergoing a sex change.
"Every indication I have says that Larry Wachowski is now in the process of changing his sex," he wrote. "Dressing in public like a woman, taking female hormones and yes, having a sex change operation."
Lana directed "Cloud Atlas" along with her brother and Tykwer. In the clip, the three moviemakers describe the upcoming epic film, which stars Tom Hanks and Halle Berry.
"Hi, I'm Lana," the 47 year old announces with her hair styled in pink dreadlocks. It has been suggested that she is the first major Hollywood director to come out as transgender.
In May, Tom Gabel, the lead singer and founding member of the Florida punk band Against Me!, also made headlines when he revealed to Rolling Stone that he is transitioning into a female.
The 31-year-old musician, who now goes by Laura Jane Grace, told the publication she has suffered from gender dysphoria for years and plans to undergo hormone therapy and electrolysis treatments. She also said that she will stay married to her wife Heather and that she has been "understanding."
"For me, the most terrifying thing about this was how she would accept the news," he said. "But she's been super-amazing and understanding."
Watch the clip of Lana Wachowski Andy Wachowski and Tom Tywker discuss the highly-anticipated film "Cloud Atlas" below:
