Cate McGregor
Cate McGregor, born Malcolm McGregor on May 24, 1956, in Toowoomba, Australia, is a prominent figure known for her groundbreaking contributions as a transgender activist, military officer, and political correspondent. Growing up in a religious household, she began to explore her gender identity at a young age, but societal pressures and family expectations initially led her to pursue a military career, which she joined in 1974. After facing personal struggles, including alcohol addiction and mental health challenges related to her gender identity, McGregor transitioned in 2012 and became one of the highest-ranking transgender officers in the Australian military.
Throughout her career, she advocated for the rights of transgender individuals and women, notably writing impactful speeches for the Australian Army and Air Force, addressing issues such as the treatment of female soldiers. McGregor's journey has been marked by both public scrutiny and support, leading her to become an influential voice in LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in the context of sports. Her story has been adapted into a play by the Sydney Theatre Company, and she has received multiple accolades for her work, including being named Queenslander of the Year in 2015. McGregor continues to focus on activism, providing support to young transgender individuals and advocating for their rights.
Cate McGregor
Writer, commentator, and transgender military officer
- Born: May 24, 1956
- Birthplace: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Also known as: Malcolm McGregor, Catherine McGregor
Significance: Cate McGregor was named Queensland Australian of the year in 2015 and was one of the highest-ranking transgender officers in the Australian Defense Force. After her military career came to an end, McGregor moved into commentary for cricket and politics.
Background
Cate McGregor was born Malcolm McGregor on May 24, 1956, in Toowoomba. She had three siblings including an older sister and grew up in a very religious household. One of her sisters became a nun. McGregor’s father, a World War II veteran, died in 1964.
When she was about eight years old, McGregor began to experiment with her gender identity, trying on her mother’s clothes. Her mother responded harshly, as she viewed it as wrong. McGregor was very shy and timid, so once she got into trouble, she never attempted it again.
McGregor was academically strong in school and participated in sports like cricket. She was focused from a young age on a career in the military, planning to join the army upon graduation from school. She said that she believed this grew from a desire to connect with her father and gain his approval, since she knew he would not agree with her questioning her gender. Her grandfather had also been a veteran, so she felt a military career was her destiny. She joined the army in 1974.
In 1985, McGregor experienced alcohol addiction after being diagnosed as transgender by a counselor. McGregor was frightened of losing her relationships and career, so while interested in transitioning, she elected to maintain her life as a man for the time being. In 1990, she stopped drinking and began a career in law and politics, working for both the Labor and Liberal parties. She was a political correspondent for the Australian Financial Review.
Life’s Work
In 2000, McGregor returned to the Australian Army. From 2001 to 2014 she wrote speeches for the Chief of Army. She became close friends with Lieutenant General David Morrison, who held that post from 2011 to 2015. Her speeches covered a range of topics, but the most prominent was one presented on June 12, 2013, regarding the mistreatment of female soldiers. Her work also included efforts to simplify the transition from active duty to civilian life for Australian veterans. In June 2014, she transferred from the Australian Army to the Air Force. She worked for the Chief of Air Force.
McGregor began to have a mental health crisis regarding her gender while in the army. In 2010, she began having feelings of lethargy and depression. She lost animation and volition. She initially gained weight, then developed an eating disorder and lost weight.
In 2011, she read an article about a surfer who transitioned and was finally content. Once again, her psychiatrist told her that she was transgender. In 2012, McGregor had an anxiety attack at a cricket match while writing a book. She considered suicide but was saved by an invitation to dinner with two other cricket commentators, Jarrod Kimber and Sam Collins, who were unaware of her struggles.
McGregor finally accepted that she was transgender. She informed her wife and her boss, Lieutenant General Morrison. Morrison refused McGregor’s offer to resign and offered her his full support. McGregor’s wife began the process of separation, but the two stayed friendly.
In June 2012, McGregor took a leave from the army to begin her transition. She returned to work in September as a woman. However, fame and celebrity status were thrust upon her, and she dealt with a great deal of harassment from the public, especially on social media platforms. She was stunned by the shift from a normal, anonymous life to being well known. Meanwhile, she was grieving her marriage and old life. McGregor took her emotions out on social media, engaging in arguments online with those who attacked her. The military reprimanded her for this online conduct, and she left the military in 2015. She returned to working in the legal industry.
In 2018 the Sydney Theatre Company adapted her life story into a play. It covered her military, cricket, and political careers alongside the story of her transition. She was honored by the opportunity to share her story but left the director to convert her words into a performance.
That year McGregor lost her job as a cricket commentator. This affected her deeply because cricket was something she really cared about. She turned her attention to activism, working with organizations that focused on protecting and promoting the rights of transgender and LGBTQ+ people. She worked to provide young transgender people with an ally and support system.
Impact
McGregor was one of the highest-ranking transgender officers in the Australian military and globally. Her story and her work have made great impacts in the military’s treatment of transgender people and women. She has also written books on cricket and has spoken about transgender peoples’ rights in relation to sports. In 2015, she was awarded the title of Queenslander of the Year and was a finalist for the 2016 Australian of the Year honor.
Personal Life
McGregor met Tritia in 1995 and they married in 2001. They divorced after fifteen years of marriage.
Bibliography
“Catherine McGregor’s Life on Stage.” The Senior, 27 June 2018, www.thesenior.com.au/story/5417510/catherine-mcgregors-life-on-stage/. Accessed 5 July 2023
Feneley, Rick. “Cate McGregor on Leaving Malcolm McGregor Behind and Becoming a Woman.” The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 Feb. 2014, www.smh.com.au/national/cate-mcgregor-on-leaving-malcolm-mcgregor-behind-and-becoming-a-woman-20140224-33d40.html. Accessed 5 July 2023.
“‘It’s the Secret I Kept for 50 Years’: Transgender Australian Army Colonel Cate McGregor on Transitioning from Male to Female.” Now to Love, 30 Oct. 2015, www.nowtolove.com.au/news/real-life/cate-mcgregor-talks-transitioning-from-male-to-female-10273. Accessed 5 July 2023.
Kimber, Jarrod. “Marcus North Saves Lives: One Night in Adelaide That Cate McGregor Remembers.” Medium, 14 Jan. 2017, medium.com/@ajarrodkimber/marcus-north-saves-lives-one-night-in-adelaide-that-cate-mcgregor-remembers-c1cecd93d35b. Accessed 5 July 2023.
Rieden, Juliet. “Catherine McGregor: Finding the Real Me.” The Australian Women’s Weekly, July 2019, www.scribd.com/article/450323836/Catherine-Mc-Gregor-Finding-The-Real-Me. Accessed 5 July 2023.