CAMBRIDGE, England -- The mayor is a transsexual, so is her partner, and this university city is taking them in stride.

Jenny Bailey, 45, was installed Thursday as mayor of the Cambridge City Council, and her partner Jennifer Liddle, 49, a former council member, assumed the honorary title of mayoress, which is given to the partner of the mayor.

Both were born men, and had gender reassignment surgery in their 30s. Bailey is the first transsexual to serve as a mayor in Britain. ''This is fantastic,'' Bailey said after being installed.

She has two sons with her ex-wife, who remains a friend.

Rob Hammond, the Council's chief executive, said he knew there would be interest in the new mayor. ''It is the council's firm view that someone's gender and sexual orientation has no bearing on their suitability to hold public office,'' he said.

''People can take me as a role model if they want,'' the Times newspaper quoted Bailey as saying.