What Michael said.

I think it's highly commendable in the generally conservative & otherwise reactionary realms of the Folk World that Louis' gender-reassignment was so widely accepted. I know it's not universal & it's still the elephant in the room impeding the discussion of her recent passing with certain of his old friends, fans & colleagues.

It's odd but as a part-time Folky (at best) all the transsexual people I've known personally over the years (all erstwhile men, about 5 in all, excluding LJ) have been Folkies. In a realm where the demarcations between Traditional & Revival & Regional & Racial & Authentic & Pure Blood are usually carved in stone by a Purist Priesthood, I find it heartening that Personal Gender is accepted as being mutable, despite a general conservatism with respect of radicalised sexual politics per se. Well I remember having to take one of such person to task for homophobic gestures in one of her songs, during which she admitted to her disapproval of male homosexuality - & saw no problem, as a woman, in feeling that way. Go figure, as they say. As a happily heterosexual male I walked proudly among my LGBTQIA brothers and sisters at Manchester Pride at the weekend, roundly scolding the Catholic & Christian Adam & Steve Hate Brigade handing out their rancid phobias in pamphlet form.

RIP Louisa Jo. With more admiration & respect than I could ever put into words.

Louisa Jo Killen - The Bonny Bunch of Roses