Transsexual allowed to teach
Austrias first transsexual teacher has been given the all clear to work by the education ministry after a sex change operation.The man turned woman named only as Walter S. caused outcry among some parents by informing her students via e-mail at a polytechnic in Vienna-Margareten that she will be a woman when everyone returns for the new term next week.The 58-year-old, who now calls herself Andrea, said today (Mon): “Ive always felt like a girl, later like a woman. The sex change surgery I underwent recently was only a consequent step.”Now the federal education ministry has confirmed Walter S. will not be dismissed or suspended over the surgery. “Schools are home to tolerance, not discrimination,” the statement said.Walter S., a married father of one, said she told her wife only last year about her sexual orientation after she discovered her secret passion for wearing womens clothes.Martha said: “I was shocked at first and though about getting divorced. But then I started meditating, and I found strengths in Buddhism. Now we live in a lesbian partnership. I had to let Walter go and took on Andrea instead.”