World's Tallest Transsexual Lindsey Walker On Shoes, Taboos And Tattoos

Lindsey Walker

Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 05/01/12 11:35 Updated: 05/01/12 11:38

Lindsey Walker used to be a 7ft tall basketball player called Greg.

Until she reached 21, Walker had muscles, dated a string of pretty girls and got a "manly" tattoo.

With his good looks, regular weight lifting sessions, and size 17 feet, no one would have guessed that Walker secretly longed to come out as the woman she felt she should be.

Walker, 26 from Ohio, USA, told Huffington Post UK of the moment she knew she'd finally had enough pretending to be a macho man, and how it feels to be one of the world's tallest transsexuals.

"I just snapped," she said. "I was playing basketball, it was my third season at college, I was really depressed and angry all the time and I ended up quitting the team halfway through the season.

"I didn't call or talk to anyone and I didn't come out right away. I went to talk to a therapist: I just didn't know if I could be 7ft tall and transition into being a woman.

"That was probably the worst part of my life, I felt like I hit rock bottom. There were weeks when I was drunk every day for a while just to get through."

However after Walker decided to come out, she contacted Guinness World Records to ask if she could be the tallest transsexual.

She told Huffington Post UK: "I don't think it's a negative label. When I was 17 or 18 I was a tall transsexual looking to come out and I wanted to see if there was an option for me. I thought by doing this I would help other people."

However Walker was disappointed by the response she received.

"Guinness World Records emailed me back saying that they wouldn't support me, I forget how they worded it, but they said they don't recognise it as a record or something.

"They worded it real fine so I wouldn't get offended but I kind of was. It's the start of a transsexual life transitioning and there's a group of people out there going through this. People just don't want anything to do with it: I know people like that who just won't recognise it, I get that everyday."

Being 7ft tall, Walker could cut quite an imposing figure. She explained how difficult it was to find clothes and especially shoes that would fit.

"It was difficult as a boy to find clothes and now its 10 times harder. Shoes are bad: theres a couple of fetish stores that have something that size but otherwise I have to get them custom made.

"They'll do it in Thailand but they're really expensive: they are like $400 (£250)."

However she explained how being tall does have some advantages:

"People occasionally shout stuff at me in the street but they do it at a distance, I mean I don't blame them, I wouldn't want to say anything to my face.

"I do get emails that saying that I should kill myself or that I should die. No one's confronted me face to face or verbally, and no one has physically assaulted me."

Walker told Huffington Post UK how not all emails were negative:

"As far as dating goes, I get a lot of emails, but they mainly just want to have sex with you. I mean everyone has a fetish to sleep with a transsexual, its not just men, women have the same fetish they just dont talk about it as much.

"I have propositions from both men and women, although they are mainly men. I'm not really tempted: I've tried to date, but I'm at the point where I'm in a city I don't really want to be in so I've kinda put dating on hold for now."

However Walker doesn't regret coming out.

She told Huffington Post UK: "To anybody else who is struggling, I would say be yourself. Why cover yourself up? You only have one life."


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Lindsey Walker used to be a 7ft tall basketball player called Greg. Until she reached 21, Walker had muscles, dated a string of pretty girls and got a "manly" tattoo. With his good looks, regu...
Lindsey Walker used to be a 7ft tall basketball player called Greg. Until she reached 21, Walker had muscles, dated a string of pretty girls and got a "manly" tattoo. With his good looks, regu...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
independentvoter007
God bless America
07:42 on 21/02/2012
"Lindsey Walker used to be a 7ft tall basketball player called Greg."

LOL, you couldn't make this stuff up
06:23 on 01/02/2012
WOW!!!! This is soo amazing! I am 6'5 and I have always felt like a lady, act like one and sound some-what like one. But my height is what has kept me from transforming into a lady. Its a horrible feeling when you are trapped in a shell that is not what you want it to be. I wish I had the nerve to do what you did... you are a inspiration to me and you now have another fan. If you read this Lindsey pls add me to facebook if you have one.. jatee23@aol.com I would love to chat with you for hrs. Much love beautiful!
15:09 on 10/01/2012
...Idle hands...
08:11 on 10/01/2012
Amazing transition. I have a hard time imagining size 17 shoes though.
17:22 on 08/01/2012
I am so happy for you!
You are gorgeous, Lindsey! Very glad that you can be you.
04:27 on 07/01/2012
Check out La Dame Footwear :] They are on facebook. The owner is awesome. I believe they are based in WI but they specialize in very large sizes of heels, etc. Proud of you!
01:49 on 07/01/2012
Pretty girl. And obviously brave as hell. Lindsey, you deserve all kinds of happiness!
15:42 on 06/01/2012
Lindsey, so proud of you as you walk along on your journey with such dignity and self-respect. And while I could never fill your shoes, being over 6' and with size 12 wide (or 13) shoes I know some of the challenges before you. And just like you, I never thought a gal my size could transition successful either. I was so wrong.

Thanks for sharing your story, especially since now I can tell my 6' 4" gal pal that she isn't the record holder. You know that your story will help others. It is a great gift you have given those you may never meet or even know you have helped.
15:15 on 06/01/2012
I am soo glad she didnt use the pic that was in a uk site.
09:51 on 06/01/2012
Lots of people are doing this sort of thing now, its the modern day Britian
This comment has been removed.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Ppenguinator
Life's too imprtant to be taken seriously.
22:55 on 05/01/2012
Reading this made me feel short. I just hope she doesn't wear heels.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Christina-Xena
That little Voice in your Head...is mine.
01:04 on 07/01/2012
You are short, and you're not on a date with her so it really doesn't matter.. If she doesn't wear heels it's probably just so it's easier to avoid hitting her head going through door frames (which she already has to duck some to avoid).

"Careful when the standards you use in life for others, are based on the levels of the bars you have set for yourself." CXW
21:15 on 05/01/2012
WOW at 6'2 I thought I had a hard time finding nice chothes and with a 13inch shoe I only have few nice pair with her being a size 17 my heart goes out to her ( where at in Thailand ?)
as a transgender all I can say is keep up the fight ,it's worth because being yourself is the best way to be happy ,
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rockysparks
there's no law against being annoying.
18:45 on 05/01/2012
Where does a 7-foot transsexual woman go?

Anywhere she wants. You gonna mess with her? Not me, no sir, no ma'am, huh-uh ...
18:26 on 05/01/2012
She is beautiful, inside and out.