Poland's first transsexual lawmaker, Anna Grodzka, failed in her bid to become deputy speaker of the national assembly on Friday. Her left-wing Palikot Movement party had wanted Grodzka to replace deputy speaker Wanda Nowicka, but the proposal was defeated in a 245-45 vote with 13 abstentions. Grodzka has become one of Poland's most recognizable parliamentarians.
Three years ago a court confirmed she was a woman born in a man's body. With her legal status changed, Grodzka underwent gender realignment surgery in Thailand. In 2011, she became the socially conservative country's first transsexual member of parliament.