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Jenny BaileyEnglish politician, mayor of Cambridge
Country:
 Great Britain |
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Biogaphy of Jenny Bailey
Jenny Bailey is an English politician who served as the Mayor of Cambridge from 2007 to 2008. She made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to lead a city with a population of over one hundred thousand people.
Early Life and Education
Jenny Bailey was born in 1962 in the Doncaster prison, where her father worked as a prison officer. She began experiencing difficulties with her gender identity at a young age, around 6 or 7 years old. In school, she joined a radio enthusiasts' club organized by her physics teacher, which influenced her future career path.
At the age of 20, Bailey received a grant to study at Coventry University and later underwent training in Cambridge. She went on to work as a telecommunications engineer. At the age of 24, while still biologically male and suppressing her transgender identity, Bailey married and became the father of two sons. However, the couple eventually divorced, though they maintain a friendly relationship to this day.
Transition and Activism
In 1990, at the age of 29, Jenny Bailey started hormone therapy at a private clinic. It was there that she met her future spouse, Jennifer Liddle, who was also undergoing gender transition and worked as a software engineer. Bailey underwent gender confirmation surgery in 1993.
As of 2007, Bailey and Liddle reside in a home in Chesterton, Cambridge, along with Bailey's younger son. Bailey identifies as a Buddhist and a vegetarian.
Political Career
In 2000, Jenny Bailey began her political career by joining the Liberal Democrats party. In May 2002, she was elected as a member of the Cambridge City Council representing East Chesterton, receiving 40.5% of the vote. During her time on the council, she focused on environmental issues, particularly promoting cycling, waste management, and public transportation.
In 2004, Bailey was appointed as an Executive Councillor for Planning and Transport. She was re-elected to the City Council in June, with 40.7% of the vote. Her partner, Jennifer Liddle, also joined the council during the same election.
In 2006, Bailey was appointed as the Deputy Mayor of Cambridge. On May 24, 2007, during a City Council meeting, Jenny Bailey was elected as the Mayor of Cambridge, with Jennifer Liddle serving as the Deputy Mayor. Bailey focused on climate change, the development of the high-tech industry, the Cambridge Museum of Technology, and the recognition of unsung heroes in the county of Cambridge.
Jenny Bailey's election as the first openly transgender mayor received significant attention worldwide.
