Conjoined twin who came out as trans 'kept desire hidden' from sister for decades
One of the world's oldest conjoined twins came out as trans to his sister in 2007.
Lori and George Schappell were the oldest conjoined twins in the world when they passed away aged 62.
The pair were joined at the head, sharing a blood supply and approximately 30 percent of their brain.
This is the rarest way for twins to be conjoined, making up between just two and six percent of cases.
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Despite living their lives joined at the head, Lori and George managed to lead independent lives.
And in 2007, George came out as a trans man, something he had kept from everyone including his sister for decades.
He said: “I have known from a very young age that I should have been a boy.
“I loved playing with trains and hated girly outfits. I kept my desire to change sex hidden – even from Lori – for many years.”
He added: “It was so tough, but I was getting older and I simply didn’t want to live a lie. I knew I had to live my life the way I wanted."
Lori was supportive of her brother, saying: “Obviously it was a shock when Dori changed to George, but I am so proud of him.
“It was a huge decision but we have overcome so much in our lives and together we are such a strong team. Nothing can break that.”
She added: “When we were born, the doctors didn’t think we’d make 30, but we proved them wrong.
“We have learned so much in the last 50 years and will continue living life to the full.”
The pair would do their own hobbies in their own room, while the other said they would just 'zone out'.
Lori and George took this attitude with them into their romantic lives as well.
Speaking to The Sun in 2011, Lori said: “When I went on dates, George would bring along books to read and, as we don’t face each other, he could ignore any kissing."
Lori became engaged at one point, but tragically lost her fiancé in a car accident.
Speaking about the loss, she said: “George looked after me. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if I could have lived through the heartbreak."
Though they lived independently, the twins did not express any desire to undergo surgery to separate them.
Speaking in 1997, George said: Would we be separated? Absolutely not.
“My theory is: why fix what is not broken?”
Lori and George died on April 7, 2024 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, aged 62.
Kit Roberts