Lawmaker becomes the first openly transgender member of Parliament in the United Kingdom

On Wednesday, British MP Jamie Wallis arrives in the House of Commons in London. Image Credit: Justin Tallis / AFP via Getty Images

Jamie Wallis, a Conservative Party member in the United Kingdom, announced on Wednesday that he had battled gender dysphoria for years.

On Wednesday, a member of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party came out as transgender, becoming Parliament's first openly transgender member.

Jamie Wallis, 37, said in a statement that he has battled gender dysphoria for years, which is characterized by chronic discomfort between a person's gender identity and the sex given at birth. Wallis, who continues to use the pronouns he/him/his, claimed that, among other things, a recent diagnosis of gender dysphoria led him to live more openly.

"I've had this feeling since I was a small child," Wallis wrote. "I had no intention of ever telling you about this. Before I ever said it out loud, I always imagined someday quitting politics."

"For a while, it appeared like I'd be able to get on with things and move on," he continued. Being an MP and concealing something like this was always going to be difficult, but I thought I was up to the job."

Wallis said he suffered a series of personal struggles leading up to his decision to come out. Someone blackmailed him two years ago and revealed his identity to his father, he claimed, adding that the blackmailer was sentenced to two years in prison. Wallis has also revealed that he was raped and injured in a car accident last year, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Wallis said his colleagues in both parties and LGBTQ groups have given their support on social media since he came out as transgender.

"Long way to go, Jamie. You have our full attention and wholehearted support. Stonewall, a U.K.-based LGBTQ advocacy group, stated, "Love from all of us at Stonewall."

The trip of the lawmaker takes place at a time when transgender rights and gender identity are hotly debated in Parliament and throughout British culture. Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a transphobic joke at a dinner for Tory MPs in a London hotel just hours before Wallis made his announcement.

According to Politico, Johnson told the audience, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, or as Keir Starmer would put it, those who are assigned female or male at birth."

Johnson thanked Wallis on Twitter after she made her statement.

"It would have taken a lot of bravery to share such a personal story. Thank you for your bravery, @JamieWallisMP, which will definitely help others," Johnson said. "The Conservative Party which I lead will always provide you with the love and support you need to be yourself."

Wallis expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of love and support.

In a statement, Wallis said, "I am glad to be entirely open and honest about the problems I have had, and continue to have, with my identity." "However, I am still the same person I was the day before."

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