New Zealand's "Tranny Granny" has become the first transsexual to be made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for service to the community.

Jacqui Grant, who lives in Moana, was honored for her work with young people, including having fostered more than 50 children over the past 18 years.

Grant has lived as a woman for over 25 years and is thought to be the only transsexual approved for fostering by the state Children and Young Persons Service. She also runs courses for children with behavioral problems and founded Moana Zoo, a 50-acre (20-hectare) home for endangered animals.

Grant is presently a candidate for the Moana/Paroa ward of Grey District Council. Recent polls suggest she has a good chance of winning.

BALEARICS NIX TRANSGENDER PROTECTIONS

A Parliamentary committee in Spain's Balearic Islands (which includes Ibiza and Mallorca) has declined to add transgendered identity to the islands' anti-discrimination policies.

The committee also vetoed proposals to make it easier for transgendered persons to change their names and receive government-funded sex-change operations.

The measures were supported by MPs from the United Left, Nationalist and Socialist parties but the center-right Popular Party, which holds a majority of seats, opposed the changes. The vote was 8-9 with one abstention.

The proposals were put forth by the Gay and Lesbian Balearic Association, Ben Amics.

SOUTH AFRICAN LESBIAN COP WINS PARTNER BENEFITS

South Africa's Pretoria High Court ruled February 4 that South African Police Services Medical Aid violated the constitution when it refused to extend health coverage to lesbian police officer Jolande Langemaat's lover of 11 years, Beverley-Ann Myburgh.

South Africa is the only nation in the world with a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation written into its constitution.