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(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who recently announced his bid for the presidency, made an even bigger, more shocking announcement on Tuesday: sometime in the “very near future,” Graham will be undergoing a sex change operation, revealing to the world that he has “always felt like a beautiful, strong woman trapped in an average man’s body.”

The stunning announcement came Tuesday morning, during a campaign stop in Iowa. Graham, who was speaking at a town hall event and answering unscreened answers from the audience, was asked by one participant if he was ever offended by the jokes made about his sexuality, with a follow-up question being why he had never married.

Graham seemed shaken by the question, and remained silent long enough for the crowd to start muttering, before he sheepishly responded. “It’s a fair question. I think… I don’t think someone can really run for the Oval Office and not be honest. Honest with the American people… honest with herself.”

Graham paused again for another lengthy period before continuing. “Folks, I need to be honest with you. You deserve my honesty. You deserve honesty from all the candidates. Friends… I’m transgender. I identify myself, internally anyway, as a transgender person. I am a woman. I’ve always been a woman, and soon, I’m going to be the woman physically that I’ve always believed I am emotionally and spiritually. I’ve always felt like a beautiful, strong woman trapped in an average man’s body. And I lied. I lied to you, to myself, to my family. I’m a woman. The lies stop here, and so does my effort to hide who I really am on the inside.”

The audience was stunned, with half of the attendees gasping audibly. But some people clapped, and others cheered, and soon, the audience was roaring with support. “Folks, I’m a woman. I’m a proud woman. I’m a proud American woman, and a proud conservative woman. Caitlyn Jenner showed all of us transgender folks that all it takes is that first courageous step, that bold effort to reveal your true self to the world, and she shows us how beautiful a transgender person can be. I’m ready for that change, America. I’m ready to become a woman. And I want you to join me on my journey. Not just my gender journey, but my journey into the White House, where as your president, I’ll make sure transgender voices big and small are heard. I am a woman, America! Hear me roar!”

The audience burst into a loud roar of applause and cheering, as several in attendance wept approvingly.  Within a few moments, some in the crowd were chanting “Lindsey” as well.

Shortly after the event, Graham’s campaign manager told a gaggle of reporters that the Senator is “expecting to undergo his, I mean, `her,’ surgery soon. We were going to hold off on making the announcement until after the GOP primary, but Senator Graham made a decision, and I fully support her.”

When asked by an MSNBC report if Ms. Graham had considered any names, the campaign manager revealed that this was something they had talked about recently. “She’s considering `Lindsay,’ with an `A,’ like her current male name, `Lindsey,’ With an ‘E.’ I think it’s a good name, a great one even. Voters won’t be confused about who she is, and I think then American people will be receptive to her new name.”

“She’s a very brave woman,” the campaign manager added. “Look out Hillary… Lindsay Graham is coming for you, and she means business!”