"SEX CHANGE SHOCKER—WACHOWSKI BROTHERS NOW SISTERS!!!"
That's how Lilly Wachowski, formerly Alan Wachowski and one half of The Wachowskis, opened up her statement with the Windy City Times, a Chicago-based LGBT paper.
"There's the headline I've been waiting for this past year. Up until now with dread and/or eye rolling exasperation. The 'news' has almost come out a couple of times," she continues, revealing that she decided to come out after a newspaper reporter threatened to "out" her.
"So yeah, I'm transgender," she writes. "And yeah, I've transitioned."
Lilly is sister to Lana Wachowski, who also came out as transgender in 2012. The two are known for directing "The Matrix" trilogy, as well as "Jupiter Ascending" and "Cloud Atlas."
"My sister Lana and I have largely avoided the press. I find talking about my art frustratingly tedious and talking about myself a wholly mortifying experience. I knew at some point I would have to come out publicly," Lilly continues. "Being transgender is not easy. This means when you're transgender you have to face the hard reality of living the rest of your life in a world that is openly hostile to you."
"I am one of the lucky ones. Having the support of my family and the means to afford doctors and therapists has given me the chance to actually survive this process," she adds. "I'm out to my friends and family. Most people at work know too. Everyone is cool with it. Yes, thanks to my fabulous sister they've done it before, but also because they're fantastic people. Without the love and support of my wife and friends and family I would not be where I am today."
Lilly has been married to Alisa Blasingame since 1991.
