Football’s first transgender referee to renew wedding vows with loyal wife
Lucy Clark, who became football’s first-ever transgender referee on Sunday, will swap the official’s all-black kit for a white wedding dress to stand alongside her loyal wife as the two renew their wedding vows.
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Clark, born ‘Nick’, took to the pitch for the first time to create history by officiating the QPR Ladies vs Parkwood Rangers match, cheered on by wife and partner of 18 years, Avril, in North London.
Lucy’s inclusion in the game was warmly greeted by the LGBT community and football fans, with some hailing it a huge step forward.
UK: First #transgender football referee officiates first game since transitioning. Lucy Clark has been known as Nick in the football world for years. "The FA supports Lucy and anyone else who wants to be in football in their preferred gender." https://t.co/IHJaMnCTxm#LGBT#transpic.twitter.com/30j3nAiEQC
— LGBT+ News (@mondokoosh) August 19, 2018
A massive moment for football today when Lucy Clark who will be the first ever transgender referee when she walks out to do her very first match! Good luck Lucy you're an inspiration 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 #Footballforeverybody#htafcpic.twitter.com/2IduTgQB62
— RyanHTAFC (@RyanHTAFC21) August 19, 2018
“We are better now than 30 years ago and I hope it improves in the next 30 years. Me speaking out, hopefully, can make a difference” - Lucy Clark, football refereeSending all best wishes to Lucy as she embarks on a new chapter in her life ⚽️https://t.co/wRxxXOkb16
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) August 18, 2018
The very best of luck to Lucy Clark as football's first transgender referee. Football at times is guilty of living in the stone age when it comes to LGBT issues and this is a huge step forward 🤘 https://t.co/5pb99jvxG9
— PTB (@paulthomasbell) August 19, 2018
Hopeful that football welcomes Lucy Clark warmly. In the majority, match-going fans in lower leagues are a very friendly bunch, and with family, close pals and the FA supportive, she has a strong support network ⚽️👍 https://t.co/56N4toEJkK
— Jon Holmes (@jonboy79) August 18, 2018
Good luck to Lucy Clark today, it’s great to read a positive front page. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/XFd3ctk6F3
— Steve Rider (@sterider) August 19, 2018
Here’s wishing Lucy Clark, the UK’s first transgender football referee, every success in her first match this afternoon since transitioningFlora Akita sends her love#FabulousFlora#LucyClark#transgenderreferee#EHRC#Glitterandbegay#Galop#PinkNews#AssistanceDogpic.twitter.com/FXX4z2SmnE
— Robert Stuhldreer (@RDStuhldreer) August 19, 2018
Avril refused to show Lucy the red card after he decided to become a woman. Instead, she insisted “our marriage will now only get stronger” ahead of the two renewing their vows in 2020 after Lucy’s gender reassignment surgery.
According to The Mirror, Lucy told Avril of her decision just 6 months into their relationship. Astoundingly, the couple now have three children and will renew their vows exactly 10 years after tying the knot.
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“I’ll be forever grateful Lucy told me so early in our relationship,” Avril said, The Mirror reported. “When Lucy told me it was a shock. But when you love somebody so much it doesn’t matter."
