Maloney on coming out as trans: ‘Press hounded me’

Kellie Maloney has spoken out about her decision to come out as a transgender woman recently.

The legendary boxing manager and promoter, formerly known as Frank Maloney, spoke about her transition in an interview with the Sunday Mirror at the weekend – read more here.

However, speaking on Good Morning Britain today (August 13), she said that she never wanted to speak publicly about her transition until it was complete.

She explained: “It wasn’t my intention [to speak out]. I wanted the transition very privately because of my family – they are going through a lot as well and I wanted them protected.

She said that a journalist ‘doorstepped’ her in February, after a member of her support group leaked information to the press.

Kellie continued: “Unfortunately someone exposed me at a group which I was going to – I was indoors and got that dreaded knock on my door, and it was a journalist – I won’t say from which paper.”

She was forced to take an injunction out against the press to stop them reporting about her life as a woman, but later decided to put an end to the press hounding her by speaking publicly.

She explained: “I said I’d only do this as long as I’ve got control because previously transgender people have been ridiculed in the press and I didn’t want that to happen to me and I didn’t want it to happen to others because it would terrify others of coming out.

“So we built a relationship with the Sunday Mirror and they handled it very well and it came out and since then it’s exploded, but it was never my intention. My intention was just to bring a book out in 18 months when I had completely transitioned and my family had got used to it because they are under terrible pressure at the moment.”

Earlier this week, Lennox Lewis – who was managed by Maloney for 20 years – spoke out in support of her decision – read more here.