Transsexual begins Lords appeal

Elizabeth and Michael Bellinger married 21 years ago

A Lincolnshire transsexual has taken her fight to get her marriage legally recognised to the House of Lords.

The High Court and Court of Appeal have previously refused to recognise the marriage of Elizabeth and Michael Bellinger.

Mrs Bellinger, 55, will appeal on Monday against the two earlier rulings in what could be her last attempt in the British courts to have her marriage recognised.

The case could have major implications for other transsexuals throughout the UK.

European ruling

The Appeal Court's refusal, last July, to recognise Elizabeth Bellinger as a woman and therefore legally married, was met with dismay by the growing number of transsexuals.

They hoped the court would back the case and pave the way for greater legal recognition in general.

Mrs Bellinger, from Lincoln, went through a sex change operation in 1981 and married in the same year.

This week's hearing is expected to last two days, with judgement reserved to be given in writing later this year.

Two male-to-female transsexuals won the right to be legally recognised as women in a European Court ruling last year.

That case is expected to pave the way for transsexuals to marry once British law is amended to bring it into line with the ruling.