Australian of the Year 2016 finalist Catherine McGregor to leave military to shine light on transgender issues Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/australian-of-the-year-2016-finalist-catherine-mcgregor-to-leave-military-to-shine-light-on-transgender-issues-20160118-gm8cx1.html#ixzz3yFyCODBF Follow us: @theage on Twitter | theageAustralia on Facebook

Michaela Whitbourn | The Age | Jaunary 24, 2016

Australian of the Year finalists:

• Elizabeth Broderick
• David Morrison
• Will MacGregor
• Catherine McGregor
• Julian McMahon
• John Greenwood
• Jane Hutchinson
• Anne Carey

The spectacle of gruff men in suits hugging a fellow commuter in an airport lounge might raise the odd eyebrow.

Catherine McGregor at the National Press Club in April 2015. Photo: Karleen Minney

When that commuter is Catherine McGregor, the world’s most senior transgender military officer, it is nothing short of profound.

“I walked into the Qantas airport lounge in my female uniform and there was a bunch of guys there in suits … and this group of men started applauding,” recalls McGregor, outgoing group captain in the Royal Australian Air Force.

It was February 2014 and the ABC’s Australian Story had just aired McGregor’s moving account of transitioning from Malcolm –  known to many as “a pretty blokey bloke” –  to Catherine.

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