"Jan Morris is one of the finest travel writers and historians in Britain. Now, late in life, Jan has gone through a civil ceremony with the woman he married nearly 60 years ago."
Today's Out Spotlight is James Morris/Jan Morris, CBE
James Morris accompanied the 1953 Everest Expedition as correspondent of The Times, making a dash from the mountain to wire the coded news of t
he success to London in time for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1972, James Morris completed a change of sexual roles after a years of transitioning culminating with gender reassignment surgery in Morocco and, returned as Jan Morris.
James Morris was married to Elizabeth Tuckniss at the time. The couple have never been apart they stayed together after Morris's trip to Morocco in 1972. He went as a man, and came back as woman. The law, then, did not allow same sex marriage, and they were were forced to divorce after Jan's reassignment. Morris used to describe her as her "sister-in-law", but on BBC Radio 4's Bookclub, Morris revealed that the relationship was closer and more enduring than that implied.
The first time that Elizabeth Tuckniss walked down the aisle, in 1949, her groom was a dashing undergraduate. This past may her civil partner was an elderly lady recently voted the 15th 
greatest British writer since the war.
"I made my marriage vows 59 years ago and still have them," Elizabeth told the Evening Standard. "We are back together again officially. After Jan had a sex change we had to divorce. So there we were. It did not make any difference to me. We still had our family. We just carried on."
Elizabeth has said that she "always" knew of her husband's belief that he should have been born female. It did not stop them having five children, one of whom died at the age of two months. They are also grandparents to nine grandchildren.
Jan Morris went on to write some 40 books of history, travel writing, fiction, and autobiography, including the Pax Britannica trilogy about the rise and fall of the Victorian Empire, six volumes of collected travel essays, major studies of Wales, Spain, Venice, Oxford, Manhattan, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Trieste, and a novel, Last Letters from Hav, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Her short book Conundrum, written in 1974, two years after her sex change illustrates the depth of their relationship that enabled them to survive the trauma of a sex change and remain devotedly together as a couple and, more significantly, as a family.
Most of their years spent in the Welsh village close to where Jan's father grew up.
They have specified that when they die, their headstone will say, in Welsh and English:
"Here are two friends, at the end of one life".
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Out Spotlight XXXXIV
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66 comments:
Yet another interesting Out Spotlight. I knew about Jan Morris and the fact she'd changed her sex, but beyond that I knew nothing about her personal life, including the fact she'd been married and then stayed with the same woman.
Very interesting Spotlight. I would imagine her book Conundrum would be very insightful.
I love our Out Spotlights - such fascinating, accomplished people such as Jan Morris, for whom their sexuality or gender is but one aspect of the wonderful people they are.
Powerful love story and powerful love song.
New pics Jake in London yeah with Reese. She's trying way too hard. He holds her hand like you would with your teacher.
You knew the minute that you saw pics of Ryan with the kids that pics of the dynamic duo were days away. Looks like the only time Ryan's allowed to get pics taken of him and the kids is when The Chin is away. Jake actually cracked a smile in these pics. Maybe she's telling him that she won't come back to visit him anymore. Must say that Jake's looking way hot.
Is Jake's fly down in the pics?? LOL
Not what I wanted to wake up to, but yeah they are trying way too hard. In fact there was a picture of Reese earlier this week with the exact same manufactured smile. For a minute I thought the photos were photoshopped. Had to happen since Ted has been on the fakery relentlessly for weeks now + she has that movie to promote.
Jake seems to favor button flys. Hot.
Wonder which one of them bought the lingerie? Just asking.
"You knew the minute that you saw pics of Ryan with the kids that pics of the dynamic duo were days away."
More like you knew when you saw pictures of Ryan getting papped looking like a drunken mess with Abbie nowhere in sight that a couple of days later he'd just happen to get papped with his kids, looking clean shaven and fresh. A piece of spin control so blatant it puts even Jake and Reese's work to shame.
The look on Reese's face with the big open mouth smile is just like one Austin had at Lakers1. I think PR handed her the pic beforehand and said make sure you get one of these in the shots.
She's trying way too hard.
Jake actually cracked a smile in these pics. Maybe she's telling him that she won't come back to visit him anymore.
ITA. Maybe they read comments (Hi Jake! Hi Reese!) about looking not happy. Big Whoop I don't agree w/you with handholding. They're holding hands better now. Jake isn't holding her hand like he would another guy, rougher. Guys are bigger and naturally rougher with each other. Musta read those comments too.
The bag from lingerie store Myla is a nice touch. Buying hot sexy underwear for her man than another handbag. And look they both have orange phones!
No scratch on his eye altho he's wearing shades. I wonder when the accident happened or if it happened. Or if it did what it really was if it wasn't what reported. Also wonder when the "your not supporting me" fight happened. Could be the cut happened after these pics and from Reese clawing his eyes out. She seems like the type to hit a man.
Are his boxers showing or do the pants have a different fabric on the fly? Those pics were after he finished w/his coffee but before shopping so maybe he made a pit stop and forgot. Or could be (and wouldn't put it past them) they want people to think they fooled around in the lingerie dressing room.
Pics of Ryan AND pics of Abby/Ryan and kids came out. Ava was actually smiling and happy. Ever notice how she's not smiling and happy with her mother? Pics also are after Ted is going full-on with TT.
Bet these pics are for a story on Reese in Kneepads/Ho-K!/In Douche Weakly mags.
What straight guy can work a scarf like that?
What a waste of a good Out Spotlight today. Having it denigrate into more reeke poop.
they want people to think they fooled around in the lingerie dressing room.
Maybe Jake was the one trying on the panties
sweetsue said...
Wonder which one of them bought the lingerie? Just asking.
runway said...
What straight guy can work a scarf like that?
do these make me look bigger? said...
they want people to think they fooled around in the lingerie dressing room.
Maybe Jake was the one trying on the panties
Wow, three blatant displays of homophobic bullshit in the first 14 comments in a gay-positive post on a gay-positive blog. The insidious bigotry in these comments really is disgusting.
gander where did Ryan get papped looking like a drunken mess w/out Abbie?
What an amazing woman! Photographed at two places (London and LA) on the same date. Wow! Here's Reese running on October 10 in LA posted on x17. http://x17online.com/celebrities/reese_witherspoon/but_wheres_jake-10102008.php
FYI, Ryan was photographed with Abbie and his kids also on October 10. It's on x17online and pinkisthenewblog.com.
Bit of a waste of a good Out spotlight, right enough. I remember reading Conundrum many years ago.
Can't imagine why Reese is wearing winter clothes today (more than 70 degrees F).
^ or yesterday or the day before, come to think of it.
Outrageous, don't accuse and don't play stupid.
"Wow, three blatant displays of homophobic bullshit in the first 14 comments in a gay-positive post on a gay-positive blog. The insidious bigotry in these comments really is disgusting."
Isn´t it great how some people are showing their real faces? On a blog where people claim to overcome stereotypical thinking.
Oh, and for those who are interested:
Today is the 10th anniversary of Matthew Shepards death. He was murdered near Laramie on the night of October 6–October 7, 1998. Shepard died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, on October 12, 1998, from severe head injuries.
RIP Matthew!
One of Reese's better looks. Loving the boots.
Ugly jacket.
What a waste of a good Out Spotlight today. Having it denigrate into more reeke poop.
Bit of a waste of a good Out spotlight, right enough.
Todays Spotlight is good but what am I supposed to say? "That's nice"? Can I add anything? No. Do I have any questions? No. Do I wish them well? Yes of course. London TB you had a chance to say more than just "I read the book many years ago". Why don't YOU expand on it, tell us about it and what you thought about it and start a conversation? Face it the story of them isn't all that exciting, even you who read the book for crying out loud have nothing to say except "I read the book". Analyzing the newest ingrown hairs of the Reeke beard is more interesting right now. When do you expect people to look at and discuss the pics?? Scroll now if you don't like today's Reeke discussion and bookmark it so you can come back next week or whenever you feel its appropriate to read about it.
Just popping in for a moment, family is coming for a visit and have been cleaning and getting ready. This OMG moment is a reward for one more room down.
The story of Jan and Elizabeth struck me because their love and devotion never wavered and it is all about loving the person for their true self. I am in awe of Elizabeth so many wouldn't have understood or accepted it.
"Here are two friends, at the end of one life".
That last quote just is the truest testament of love isn't?
Jake pictures - Jake looks good. Just damn good.(IMO) Miss seeing him.
Nothing like a little homophobic bearding around the 10th anniversary of Matthew Sheppard's death to remind us of how it is the most vulnerable people in society who are out there on the front lines trying to change things while rich privileged people who can afford security guards, etc. are out there pushing heterosexuality as the only acceptable norm.
Shame on Jake, and shame on Austin for going along with this.
Chica and Outrageous are soooo trying to start infighting about stereotypes and homophobia. Remember the ones who are in the group can make fun of themselves so remember where you are and what blog you're on. Accusing us of homophobia blah blah blah doesn't work. Must be a slow day in reeseville.
Chica and Outrageous are soooo trying to start infighting about stereotypes and homophobia. Remember the ones who are in the group can make fun of themselves so remember where you are and what blog you're on. Accusing us of homophobia blah blah blah doesn't work.
Is that some kind of joke? So, you can ascertain the gender, sexuality and motives of 5 different people from behind your keyboard?
Any member of any group can say anything they like about any member of any other group. That's free speech. But it's still homophobic, still buying in to the same stupid stereotypes, and I'll still call it out when I see it.
^^Interesting that the Reekers are here today. You'd think they'd be too busy oohing and aahing about the new photos of Reeke. Maybe they don't find them all that believable themselves.
As far as discussion goes, we very seldom stay on the topic of the day's post. The beauty of this blog is that we can go off on tangents and discuss any variety of subjects, unlike the fascist Reeke blogs.
The picture of Reese laughing for the camera makes me think of Mr. Ed.
Sorry, I shouldn't be insulting other horses like that.
Abbie and Ryan and the kids out in LA on October 10. Abbie took Ava to a floral design workshop (cute pic of them together) and Ryan took his son to a karate class: http://x17online.com/celebrities/ryan_phillippe/x17_xclusive_ryan_abbie_out_with_the_kids-10102008.php
That's interesting, and funny. 'Specially since Jakey-poo has the face of a horse himself. Match made in equestrian heaven.
The pictures of Ryan, Abbie and the kids were posted on 10/10 but x17 says that they were taken yesterday: 10/9.
The Reese pics on that site were posted on 10/10 and all it says is that they were taken near her home in Brentwood but we can all assume that it was taken the day before, no reason to rush and post pics of Reese jogging the same day.
Since there is no date most likely they were taken earlier in the week, hence the no date.
No reason to assume X17 10/10 pictures, posted in the afternoon, are from some other day.
Nice to see Ryan and Abbie engaging in activities that kids actually enjoy. I guess it wasn't Reese's week to have the kids so she had to use pictures in London with Jake. Bet those were shot a few weeks ago and were saved up for a moment like now for maximum effect.
The odd timing of these photos also makes me wonder if Jake is actually nowhere near London right now, but pr wants us to think he is.
Why would x17 rush and post pictures of Reese jogging i the morning and post them the same day? Slow pap day? And wouldn't the picture simply say taken yesterday in Brentwood like the Ryan pics? And if it was taken on 10/10, wouldn't they just say taken in Brentwood today? They have done so before.
That said, most likely the pics were taken earlier in the week when they wee spotted and it was a bit cooler in London.
I was going to say September, but they would have released them already.
Why would x17 rush and post pictures of Reese jogging i the morning and post them the same day?
Because paparazzi agencies by default post pictures the same day and "today" is implied.
Oh, so pap sites post pics the same day and "today" is implied, i thought so. So most likely they were taken the day before, 10/9 like the Ryan and the kids pictures. It make sense, no reason to rush and post pics the same day unless they are some awards show.
I still say they were taken earlier in the week, like 10/6 or so when was cooler in London and when they were spotted there.
Interesting... said...
^^Interesting that the Reekers are here today. You'd think they'd be too busy oohing and aahing about the new photos of Reeke. Maybe they don't find them all that believable themselves.
Interesting, please have the courage to stick with that name and post a response to what I am about to ask.
I made no mention of Reeke in any of my posts. Both of my comments dealt strictly with the use and propagation of homophobic stereotypes in this post. Yet you post a comment directly under my comment with arrows pointing to my comment and label me as belonging to a group of Reekers.
So I ask you Interesting, where the hell do you get off telling me that I am a reeker? How can you completely ignore the content of my comments like that? If you don't want to engage my points, then just ignore my comments, but don't you dare act in such an intellectually dishonest manner.
Yes, you've touched a nerve; sidestepping a valid point to engage in ad hominem attack tends to do that. If you think my argument was incorrect, say so! Make an intelligent point; this is a blog, we could actually discuss our differences. But to just, in essence, call me names and disappear is disgraceful
Outrageous, I'm a different poster than interesting but my guess is the assumption originates from Reekers having made so many attacks against us from every feasible angle. Reekers have one goal behind these attacks and that is to bully us into submission. And while I respect the desire to express differing opinions but without that tolerance being mutual its a bit of a hypocritical request.
Reeke doing their SCHWOP show: Shop-Coffee-Handhold-Walk-OnPhone. What else is new. Pretty funny if the London pics were early in the week or last month and posted now with no cell phone pics or any sightings except for the guy in the coffee house saying Jake was getting his ears chewed off by Reese for not "supporting me in this.". Funny because no one reported seeing them, blogged about them or took pics of their own so really no one noticed or cares anymore. It prolly took a week to find people to buy the pics. Shit maybe they couldn't give them away and had to pay people to post them. Not many takers. IHJ is the only one and thats because of Jake. My gut feeling on the pics the way they look and how Reese is dressed is they were a photoshoot for an upcoming pro-Reese PR magazine story.
I'm not "intereseting" either but "outrageous" get off your high horse. I guess with you no one can have fun, do oneliners, tease, and make cracks? You take it way too seriously. You must be a real barrel of laughs to be around.
Sometimes I wonder who in hell thought Reeke would make good PR. Yea they both need to change their image and look like they don't have something up their butts all the time but in totally different ways. LOL. Its like they're going for opposite PR image goals. He wants to look like Straight Family Man and shee wants to look like Fun Wild Woman. They go togrther like pickles and ice creme.
The fact that the R&J London pictures are so lovely and haven't turned up anywhere yet do indicate that they are a part of a set that was done for an upcoming story. November is going to be a big Reese month in the magazines with the movie coming out so we'll need a picture to go with the "I really wanted to be with a guy who could make me laugh again" quote.
This set is from the 10th so the London pictures must have been from last week or the week before. Either way she should stick to wearing pants.
http://idontwantyourlife.com/?p=16683
Been at church and watching football all day, so haven't been online.
London, I would like to hear more about Jan Morris' writing, if you care to share. I've known a few couples, both straight and gay, where one partner (and in one case, both partners) changed sex and they stayed together. I am fascinated by this. I really don't know if I would make the same decision, not even for the Mrs. Thankfully, she said she has no plans to do this. I would love to hear how the sex change affected Jan's relationship.
Those pics from London have to be from a different date. Look at how she looks in the jogging pics vs London. Much heavier. The pics have not made it very far on the web sites either. Very curious. I'm thinking she was badgering him for another photo op- hence the you are not supporting me fight, so they compromised and unearthed some previously stockpiled photos.
I'm also fascinated by couples that stay together after one changes their gender. It seems natural that the person changing gender would still have the same sexual preference as before, but I'm surprised that it is not uncommon for their partner to seemingly change their sexual identity. Or maybe they don't always, and the relationship is not sexual?
m: her hair is way longer [and blonder, almost white] in London pics than the jogging pics. Jakes body, face hair and esp his pale ivory soft white hands [they'd be tan now] don't look current either, not like the last pics. I agree these were taken a while back. She's gotten her hair cut and toned down since and gained weight. Jake has gotten bigger and tanner and rougher looking.
The jogging pics I think were taken back in aug when she took the kids to canyon same outfit
Looks to me like the jogging pics are recent. The London pics are most likely older. marie's calendar is right about her hair. Reeke's PR probably paid for the pics themselves so that they could release them to counter-act the pics of Ryan and Abbie hanging out with a very happy and smiling Ava and Deacon. Seems funny that the kids never quite look that happy when they're with Reese. Reese's entire reason for bearding is her warped way of getting back at Ryan and trying not to look like a loser who was dumped.
10:21, I agree with you somewhat. But why release these pics now? Why not much earlier? And for the record, I don't think Reese was in London this weekend and that the jogging pics were indeed taken either on Thursday or Friday morning.
This also could be a way of countering the Reese/Jake are having problems rumors.
By the way, I think Ava feels comfortable with Abbie.
So when were these London photos taken then? When she was there in September? Or way back in July?
The hair is shorter in the jogging pictures than in London. The London pictures look very similar to the way Reese looked in the Just Jared photos in September at LAX.
m: I checked the pics of Jake from 10/3 coming out of Capriani's vs these pics and he doesn't appear to be tanned, he looks the same, pics taken in the day vs the night may look a bit different.
The jogging pics: I swear i saw those in a set from the summer, but i may be wrong. Is she heavier in the jogging pics or the London pics? You can't tell in the London pics because she has a jacket on, and i can't tell with the hair since she has on a baseball cap.
One thing I do noticed is the ring that she is wearing on her middle left finger, she is wearing them in both sets. Yes she has worn a ring on that finger before but this particular band she has been wearing for a month or so.
IMO the pics weren't taken on the 10th but probably earlier in the week when they were spotted by Heat magazine and that Fox gossiper. Wasn't that early last week. September is too far back and they are not dressed for July weather not even London in July.
And as far as releasing them to counter the Ryan and kids pics, that makes no sense, outside of a few blogs nobody paid attention to them, it's not like People or us printed them.
It's posible that the London set is for some upcoming magazine article about them renting a flat in London I bet.
Released on 10/10 taken 10/5 or 10/6 IMO.
The London pictures look very similar to the way Reese looked in the Just Jared photos in September at LAX.
ITA. The hair length and color is exact. another thing [I checked] in the IHJ pics released today in the closeups of her laughing it looks like she has a really bad rash on her lower neck near the collarbone. Its circular like she wore a necklace that she was allergic to or had a reaction to a lotion [Avon? LOL]. In the LAX pics coming back she's wearing a ridiculous huge scarf wrapped 3x around her lower neck like she's trying to hide something. It was warm in LA at the time.
Ten year anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepperd.
Is that Cooper/PR posting under the name X17?
I wonder it Reeke did a bunch of photos at once for release over the rest of the fall, hence the fall attire. They never counted on a heat wave, and apparently no one thought to tell Reese to keep her hair the same.
not taking the bait, the ones in the group can make those comments blah blah... What bs. Besides, the people making those comments are not in the group, like the majority on this site. You know it. Don't play stupid.
You don't have to play stupid. You are.
6:41 and "going with the current" must be the same person. I liked the objection to ad hominem attack, after your ad hominem attack on me :D :D
Please lighten up. Oh, and tell me in detail about a book you read more than 20 years ago, especially if you have a big reading habit. Can't do it? OK.
I enjoy speculating about the pics - I speculated about the weather :) No way can the pics be very recent unless they are posing for an autumnal magazine cover and had to overdress.
Wicked, I can't remember much more detail about the book for you either, other than what could be read on the jacket, but I would strongly recommend it.
I am inclined to agree with the posters who think the pics belong with the Heat/blog sighting and are a week or more old, when the weather here was cooler. I also think they are for an upcoming happy couple magazine story.
6:41 and "going with the current" must be the same person.
No.
Oh, and tell me in detail about a book you read more than 20 years ago, especially if you have a big reading habit. Can't do it?
Actually I can remember 99% of all books and I do read alot. Ay any point in time I'm reading about 7 or 8 books. Also I can remember exactly where I left off in books I put down 10 years ago, what chapter and what point in the story. Seriously. Reading and remembering what I read is important to me. My mistake to think others remember what they read. I can't imagine reading a book ever and only remembering what was said on the jacket. So sorry, to me you not remembering meant it wasn't important enough or you skimmed thru it. but more important was the way you dissed people for talking timely about the Reeke pics, that wasn't right IMO. Its not like they came out to overshadow the Spotlight on purpose.
Those pics look like at least 2 weeks old - that's when London was cold. Last week was back in warm and sunny weather - no one had to wrap up like they did in the pics! Maybe this pic release goes with the news about them house-hunting in Mayfair. In any case, no one really follows celebrity around in London - you need to call up the paps!
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