‘Some people just enjoy hating’: Suzy ‘Eddie’ Izzard on Fighting Transphobia and Politics
The British comedian and actor Suzy “Eddie” Izzard shares her thoughts on the next phase of transphobia and her continued involvement with the UK Labour Party.
Interview Context
Every week, Benjamin Law invites public figures to discuss sometimes taboo subjects by rolling a die to determine their topics. This week, his guest is Suzy “Eddie” Izzard, a 63-year-old Emmy Award-winning stand-up comedian and avid marathon runner.
Name and Identity
Though she goes by “Suzy” personally, professionally she still uses “Eddie.” Most trans people avoid using their deadname (the name assigned before affirming their gender), but Izzard explains her connection to “Eddie” is unique:
“‘Eddie’ is also a name that I invented. I’m ‘Edward John’ on my passport, but I thought that sounded … lumpy. ‘Eddie’ is much more fun and cool.”
She embraces both names now, reflecting her gender-fluid identity:
“Now I have ‘Suzy,’ too, which is a name I would’ve liked to have had when I was 10. I’m going to keep them both going because I’m gender-fluid as well [as being trans]. No one can get anything wrong unless they call me ‘Arthur’ or ‘Sabrina.’”
Early Loss and Perspective
Izzard experienced a profound loss early in life, losing her mother when she was just six years old. Her brother was seven at the time, and their mother did not live to see his eighth birthday. She approaches this pain with a broad perspective:
“I try to get very macro on this.”
Author's Summary
Suzy “Eddie” Izzard embraces her fluid identity with a positive spirit while confronting transphobia and dedicating herself to political activism.