From BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-22694847
28 May 2013
A coroner has criticised the media over the “character assassination” of a transgender teacher who later took her own life.
An inquest heard Lucy Meadows hit the headlines after announcing her return to Mary Magdalen’s Primary School in Accrington, Lancashire, as a woman.
Ms Meadows, 32, previously known as male teacher Nathan Upton, died from carbon monoxide poisoning in March.
Coroner Michael Singleton said media guidelines should be tightened.
Ms Meadows had complained to the Press Complaints Commission about harassment and an article in the Daily Mail by columnist Richard Littlejohn questioning her right to teach, the inquest in Blackburn was told.
‘Sensationalist and salacious’
The inquest heard notes written before she died did not attribute her death to press intrusion but stated she had “simply had enough of living”.
Mr Singleton, however, said he was appalled at the “sensationalist and salacious” media intrusion she had faced.
He said: “She had done nothing wrong. Her only crime was to be different – not by her own choice but by some trick of nature.”
Continue reading at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-22694847
