Lilly Wachowski Makes First Public Appearance After Coming Out As Transgender

Filmmaker Lily Wachowski has made her first public appearance after coming out as transgender.

The 48-year-old co-director of the ‘Matrix’ movies showed up in the red carpet for the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles over the weekend.

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She received the gong for Outstanding Drama Series for the TV show 'Sense8’, receiving a standing ovation from the assembled crowd.

“Tonight is a culmination of confluent events for me. This was something that I became aware of shortly after receiving tonight’s invitation. Some synchronism of time-space that included the 20-year anniversary of [her debut movie] Bound, the 2016 Trans Day of Visibility, and Pi day.

“It’s an excellent reminder that art is never static. And while the ideas of identity and transformation are critical components of our work, the bedrock that all ideas rest upon is love. Love is a crucial thing for transgender people. It’s a tether.

“For while our creativity can soar beyond a seemingly immutable biological gender designations, when faced with the rather simple proposition of whether or not we are lovable, our imagination falters.

“Too many of us end up on the wrong side of the existential question of love in oblivion. And so we ring that bell, not for everyone else’s sake, but for our own.”

She also thanked her family for their support, adding: “Get out there and go love with all of your f**king might!”

Wachowski, formerly known as Andy Wachowski, revealed she was transgender last month, after being approached on her doorstep by a journalist from the Daily Mail.

She followed sister Lana, formerly Larry, who transitioned in 2012.

“So yeah, I’m transgender. And yeah, I’ve transitioned… 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,” she said in March.

“I knew at some point I would have to come out publicly… I needed some time to get my head right, to feel comfortable. But apparently I don’t get to decide this.”

Together, the sibling directors helmed the 'Matrix’ trilogy, 'Cloud Atlas’ and 2015’s 'Jupiter Ascending’.

Image credits: AP/Reuters/Getty