Times have changed

Modelling and the GLBT community

Quiz question: What is the link between Tula, Barry Cossey and Caroline Cossey? The surnames may give you a hint. Are they famous singers or actresses? Are the Cossey siblings notable names in the modelling industry, with Tula their sidekick? Keep guessing… 

A couple more clues? OK – clue no.1: For Your Eyes Only. Clue 2: A 2004 Act of Parliament. 

The answer is that Tula, Barry Cossey and Caroline Cossey are the same person. Barry Cossey was born in 1954 in Norfolk. Due to a condition known as Klinefelter Syndrome, where males are born with one or more X chromosomes in each cell, Barry began developing more feminine features. When Barry reached 17 years of age, he began hormone therapy and began living as a woman “full time”. After a short career dancing in clubs (in Paris, Rome and London, no less), Barry had sex reassignment surgery in 1974 and changed his name to Caroline. 

Due to her height – which was all the rage in the late 70s – Caroline worked for several high-profile magazines, and even appeared on the front cover of Playboy in 1981. In the same year, she appeared in a James Bond film (see clue no.1). As a model, she worked under the name “Tula”, but sadly for Caroline she was embroiled with various lawsuits and scandal – largely as the product of the times. As the tabloids continued their vendetta, she had to wait for the Gender Recognition Act to be passed by Parliament in 2004, giving transgender  / transsexual UK natives the right to legally change their sex (see clue no.2). 

So, Caroline is somewhat of a pioneer, and in the end, a success story. The GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual) community has received some newsworthy press over the past few years. This is not merely a trend or a fad. Whilst some traditionalists perceive media attention given to the GLBT community as unwarranted, times have changed. There is an argument to suggest that, in the 21st century, there shouldn’t be a lot (or, indeed, any) media exposure because they are human beings just like the rest of us and don’t merit extra attention just because they are different to most of the population. Companies want to be seen as proactive, tolerant and progressive. If they’re behind the times, their business will suffer for it; these days there is more hope and opportunity than ever before for the GLBT community. 

So if Caroline Cossey (“Tula”) could make it in the modelling world over 30 years ago, surely there is scope for transgender models nowadays? There are specific assignments out there, sure, but often these are on an ad hoc basis. There are specialist modelling agencies, too, with exact requirements. In the growing age of acceptance, there is far more diversity than there was decades ago. 

GLBT models should been seen as no different to any other models – they’ll just have different modelling assignments and agendas. If you feel confident to start – or progress – in your career, Models Direct has one piece of advice for you: Head up, shoulders back, and go for it. Tula would be proud.