UK: Transgender cabbie gets second chance
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transhttp://www.lep.co.uk/news/Transgender-cabbie-gets-second-chance.5515440.jp
Transgender cabbie gets second chance
Published Date: 02 August 2009
By Chris Visser
A transgender taxi driver has landed a new job within months of being allegedly sacked for wearing nail polish and a skirt.
Andre Edwards, 51, who lives in Rufford, has been given another chance at Leyland-based Eco Cabs, in Mellor Road, where she is receiving a lot of support from punters and fellow staff.
She was hired by the firm's managing director Dean Chapman and was moved after reading about Andre being sacked at Leyland Taxis claiming customers could not deal with her unorthodox lifestyle.
Andre Edwards is back behind the wheel
Andre, who was born a man but now lives as a woman, said: "I'm delighted about it. I rang Dean and when I went to the interview he said he knew all about me. I am very grateful.
"Like any other business, it's taking time to get started. A lot of people support me and say I have a lot of determination though there will always be people who don't want me and they can ring the firm.
"People ask why I wear a skirt but I am just being myself and I don't do anything in secret."
Her boss Mr Chapman was quick to praise his new recruit.
He said: "Andre contacted me and I didn't have any problems with her. She is an exceptionally brave person who is an extremely well-qualified taxi driver.
"As long as she does the job, I have no problems. Apart from the one phone call, everyone has been very supportive."
When Andre was sacked from Leyland Taxis two months ago he claimed it was because she wore a skirt and nail polish on jobs.
But bosses at the firm argued she was dismissed after four months due to complaints from colleagues and customers about her "bad attitude", including making comments about their hair and weight.
Andre, who was born Andrew, previously spoke of how she knew she was not like other children when she was just 10-years-old.
But she later married a woman in a bid to be accepted and when her wife died of heart failure in 2004, Andre slowly started to live as a woman.
She grew her hair and ordered hormone replacement pills from the internet and has hopes to undergo a full sex change operation.
Transgender cabbie gets second chance
Published Date: 02 August 2009
By Chris Visser
A transgender taxi driver has landed a new job within months of being allegedly sacked for wearing nail polish and a skirt.
Andre Edwards, 51, who lives in Rufford, has been given another chance at Leyland-based Eco Cabs, in Mellor Road, where she is receiving a lot of support from punters and fellow staff.
She was hired by the firm's managing director Dean Chapman and was moved after reading about Andre being sacked at Leyland Taxis claiming customers could not deal with her unorthodox lifestyle.
Andre Edwards is back behind the wheel
Andre, who was born a man but now lives as a woman, said: "I'm delighted about it. I rang Dean and when I went to the interview he said he knew all about me. I am very grateful.
"Like any other business, it's taking time to get started. A lot of people support me and say I have a lot of determination though there will always be people who don't want me and they can ring the firm.
"People ask why I wear a skirt but I am just being myself and I don't do anything in secret."
Her boss Mr Chapman was quick to praise his new recruit.
He said: "Andre contacted me and I didn't have any problems with her. She is an exceptionally brave person who is an extremely well-qualified taxi driver.
"As long as she does the job, I have no problems. Apart from the one phone call, everyone has been very supportive."
When Andre was sacked from Leyland Taxis two months ago he claimed it was because she wore a skirt and nail polish on jobs.
But bosses at the firm argued she was dismissed after four months due to complaints from colleagues and customers about her "bad attitude", including making comments about their hair and weight.
Andre, who was born Andrew, previously spoke of how she knew she was not like other children when she was just 10-years-old.
But she later married a woman in a bid to be accepted and when her wife died of heart failure in 2004, Andre slowly started to live as a woman.
She grew her hair and ordered hormone replacement pills from the internet and has hopes to undergo a full sex change operation.
