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Shock as Kevin becomes counsellor Keira
Sunday, 1 November 2009
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Meet the TRANSSEXUAL rape counsellor who saw vulnerable victims while wearing HIGH HEELS, LEGGINGS and LIPSTICK. Burly Keira McCormack, 47 — who used to be a quantity surveyor known as Kevin — was employed at the Nexus Institute in Belfast from 2005 to May this year.
Rape crisis experts consulted by Sunday Life have questioned why women in need of help were confronted by a 5ft 10in tranny.
Both Keira and the Nexus Institute refused to discuss her work there. But we have spoken to Keira's wife, Alison, who today reveals how Kevin went from a quantity surveyor to Keira the counsellor.
Alison told us that her marriage to Keira has collapsed since she left Nexus.
The couple are originally from north England and in May returned home and have parted ways.
But Keira travelled back to Northern Ireland recently to visit a pal, believed to be a former client at Nexus. We tracked her down to her friend's house near Poleglass in west Belfast.
When we asked about Nexus and her work there she stayed inside and made no comment.
We tried to contact Keira after the confrontation, but could not track her down.
It’s believed she flew back to Liverpool.
When Sunday Life contacted Nexus to ask about any official objections against Keira, they refused to comment without first reading this story.
The organisation has stated that it operates “an exceptionally important service”.
A boss at the Nexus branch where Keira worked even refused to give us his name when we identified ourselves.
Before he hung up the phone he said: “We’re not discussing any former employee. Goodbye.”
A top director in Rape Crisis England and Wales said women expected to come into an environment of trust when they came for counselling.
Angie Conroy added: “Under gender duty law, we are in no position to refuse transsexuals.
“But rape crisis centres sprung out of women supporting women from a shared experience.
“Women who have been victims of rape expect to come to a place they trust and where they are going to be sharing their experiences with women who understand their life experience.
“Ninety-five per cent of abuse is perpetrated by men and we have very few men working in rape crisis across the UK.”
Angie revealed that, to her knowledge, Rape Crisis had only ever employed one transsexual, but they worked on a treasury board and had since left the organisation.
Today, Keira's wife, Alison, reveals how she discovered her lover wanted a sex-change and how she supported her through the operation.
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26 Comments
This article sadly reflects the ignorance, fear and bigotry surrounding LGBT issues in Northern Ireland today. I am a trans-man and find the term 'tranny' extremely offensive. Kiera is involved in an extremely valuable service to women who have suffered. This is something to be grateful for. Being transgendered has absolutely no bearing on her ability to do her job. Gender is between the ears, not about what you have between your legs. How this was ever published is beyond me.
Posted by Dr A Smith | 19.11.09, 20:57 GMT
i personally was counselled by Kiera she was amazing in my time of need and i am utterly disgusted at how you are dragging her backwards through a hedge when you know NOTHING of the amazing work she does. It is a great loss to Nexus and myself that she left i found her approachable and professional at all times. It sickens me to read this trash! How can you dare to judge someone for being transgender! She is caring, compassionate and i can honestly say gave me strength when i needed it most and made me feel positive when i really didn't think i'd get through the hard times. i truely am disgusted at how you have treated her. i NEVER once felt uncomfortable. Disgraceful!
She gave me a sanctuary to go to somewhere i felt safe. She provided the environment not Nexus SHE did. She was there. She was my rock. She helped me and many others that i am sure. She is one of the strongest people i have ever met and i have a great deal of respect for her.
Posted by Carla | 16.11.09, 12:34 GMT
This article is incredibly transphobic in its language and should never have been printed.
Targeting someone for a story simply because they are transgender and making a big deal of that...really, what century is this??? I have no idea who Keira is and what her abilities are as a counsellor. If there's an issue with that, that's one thing (and best left to Nexus to deal with) but to make "story" from the fact that she is transgender is the type of tabloid pap I thought we left behind in the 80's. Shame on you Sunday Life
Posted by Ruth McCarthy | 10.11.09, 11:48 GMT
Trans women are raped, violently attacked, and murdered every single week.
A trans friend of mine was sexualy assaulted a few years ago. The police took down her details, but because of the law at the time, had to treat her as a male victim, and therefore the offence was different.
When someone needs comforting, counselling, and any other similar help, as with any job, it should always be the best qualified person to do.
Posted by Sarah | 09.11.09, 19:24 GMT
@ Ban Sidhe: For the record Keira McCormack IS a woman, physically AND legally. THAT's the reality of who Keira is. Grow Up and don't be a bigot
Posted by Jo | 09.11.09, 14:29 GMT
This person worked at the Nexus Institute and NOT at any Rape Crisis Centre - Nexus has always had male counsellors, which it is why it is not a memmber of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. There is only one Rape Crisis Centre in Northern Ireland and it does not employ men or Transexuals MTF or FTM. It is an all women organisation and will remain so. It is the allegations that this person counselled vulnerable survivors and entered into inappropriate relationships which is the main issue here. Nexus can employ and have as many male volunteers as they please - that is a matter for them. A little internet research on Twitter may enlighten some of you about the reality of who Keira really was. A woman is more than a male minus his genatalia and artificial chemical hormones.
Posted by Ban Sidhe | 08.11.09, 12:06 GMT
Quote - "Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP address logged and may be used to prevent further submissions. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by BelfastTelegraph.co.uk's Terms of Use. "
I find your use of the word "tranny" offensive and abusive, I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Posted by Sarah | 07.11.09, 22:24 GMT
I have been conselled by Keria after suffering years of abuse - found her very profesional .
Nexis asked me if I would have an issued being conselled by a Transgender counsellor.
I feel your paper has nothing better to write about and should look at the povisitve work done by both the Nexis, and Keria.
Posted by Dawn | 07.11.09, 14:43 GMT
Keira, I would strongly advise against wearing high heels on your job. Not a good idea when you are asked to do as much walking as a counselor is asked to do.
As for the rest of it, wear what makes you and the client comfortable, and dang bigots, bozos, and fools. Good luck.
Posted by Alan Kellogg | 07.11.09, 05:30 GMT
Has the Sunday Life that go round snoping on peoples private life.
Posted by Bill | 06.11.09, 18:44 GMT
This is unbelievably transphobic. This woman tries to help women who have suffered and this is the thanks she gets?
This article should never have been allowed to be shown, it's nothing short of slander.
Posted by Adam Murray | 05.11.09, 15:40 GMT
. As someone who sufferd sexual abuse I would not have been happy being counselled by a transgender person. I'm sorry if you feel that's not pc but it's the truth. Consider that we are taught to trust friends &relatives however these r the people most likely to abuse you, that's hard enough to deal with without shattering the rest of belief system in one fatal swoop.
Posted by janie | 05.11.09, 13:46 GMT
This is a disgusting article and should never have been seen by anyone. This is not journalism but simply applauding hatred and transphobia.
Posted by Sean Morrin | 05.11.09, 10:28 GMT
I have worked with Keira and know her to be a good counsellor, a hardworking professional and a lovely, genuine, straightforward person. In my experience that is what mattered to the clients she worked with. If any client had a problem seeing a transgendered counsellor, that was respected. They were not allocated to Keira. I hope everyone agrees that nothing else is relevant and what Aaron Tinney wrote is abhorrent and abusive.
Posted by counsellor friend of Keira's | 04.11.09, 00:03 GMT
This is a completely disgusting and badly written piece of hate propaganda. I am not sure who should be more ashamed of this article, the writer (I won't legitimise it by saying journalist) or the paper that agreed to publish it.
Try doing some real journalism and report news, not hate mail.
Posted by Faye | 03.11.09, 21:36 GMT
Note to the Belfast Telegraph: Transsexual women get raped, too. Plus what the majority of posters here have said.
Posted by Katie | 03.11.09, 08:52 GMT
The article is offensive and abusive, and should never have been offered for public consumption. The newspaper is disgraceful, and must be forced to shut down immediately!
Posted by Ronnie Boissoneau | 03.11.09, 02:25 GMT
You guys will write about anything, as long as it sells newprint. What outcome were you expecting with the sensational mudlinging? Did you think everyone was going to yell "burn the tranny!" Too bad you're wrong. The very opposite is true.
I think its a disgusting piece of journalism, and it demeans the very word to call it that.
Yuo owe Ms. McCormack, and the Nexus Institute a very real apology.
Posted by Mak | 03.11.09, 01:22 GMT
How rude! I am simply outraged at the language used in this article! Theres enough bigotry and hatred in this country with out the so called unbiased press writing articles that are worded in such a hate inciting manner!
Its difficult enough for transsexuals to break down the barriers that society has already set in their way of living a full and inclusive life within their local community and yet here we are again with the press using offensive and abusive language!
Ridiculous!
Posted by miss dee | 02.11.09, 23:30 GMT
I wonder if the person that wrote this article would as well as using the amazingly insulting term of "tranny" still use the "n-word" to describe a coloured person or the "p-word" to describe someone from Pakistan? Perhaps they would like to throw in a few "qu**rs" and "f*ggots" in as well just to complete things?
It amazes me that in this day and age that tabloid newspapers are still victimising minorities just to create sensationalist headlines to sell papers.
i would suggest that as well as posting here that everyone submits a complaint to the press complaints commission, if people sit and do nothing then "journalistic" 19th century practices like this will continue.
Posted by Jennifer | 02.11.09, 22:19 GMT
26 Comments