Zoe O'Connell: Liberal Democrat candidate explains why being transgender and polyamorous isn't a big deal

The MP hopeful has attracted the attention of the tabloid press ahead of the General Election

Zoe O'Connell with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg (Twitter/Zoe O'Connell)

Zoe O'Connell is hoping to become MP for Maldon, Essex, and pledges that if she's elected she'll push the equalities agenda.

However, what has primarily captured peoples' imaginations recently is the fact that O'Connell was born male, and is in a polyamorous relationship with two female partners.

IT specialist O'Connell realised she was transgender in October 13 2005. "For some people it’s a gradual realisation, but for me it was a light bulb moment," she told the Mirror.

O'Connell has a harmonious poly relationship with partners Sylvia and Sarah. Sarah is married to Sylvia, who stayed together while Sarah was transitioning. O'Connell met Sarah, and the relationship evolved.

The Daily Mail remarked that "of course" O'Connell was Lib Dem, but she is unbothered by any criticism. She explains: "Someone said years ago with being gay that you don’t just come out once, you come out repeatedly. And then after a while you just get bored and you stop caring."

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O'Connell added: "I’ve now ordered my: ‘I’m the person the Daily Mail warned you about’ t-shirt!"

We spoke to O'Connell to find out what it's like having your personal life put in the spotlight.

The Independent: Hi, Zoe. Does your experience make you a better politician?

Zoe O'Connell: "Anyone who’s got a lot of life experience is going to be a better MP. In that regard, yes. My story is unique to me, everybody else has their own stories that are going to be different."

Are we starting to make progress in terms of candidate diversity?

ZOC: "I think so, there’s another candidate who’s poly, and other Lib Dem candidates have came out as having HIV."

I suspect if you’re polyamorous you’re also really good at organising things...

ZOC: "[Laughs] Yes we use calendars on iPhones a lot and we used to use Google calendars before that came along but I have no idea how people managed it before. I think it was possible – there's a polyamorous relationship in Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – that one’s a "V" rather than a triangle, but that’s handled very well."

Does it help people relate to you, because the media coverage is so personal?

ZOC: "People will appreciate the honesty. It’s kind of like just saying: ‘I am who I am’."

Do you think people respect that?

ZOC: "Certainly the kind of people who would vote Liberal [laughs]."

How do your partners feel ?

ZOC: "Sarah’s a former council person, so she’s used to the press. Sylvia’s not really the media type, so it’s not been a problem... As long as you’ve learned to accept it yourself, what other people think matters less. A lot of stress can be cured by going: ‘You can’t be worrying about what other people think.'"