Lord Dono

This character from Lois McMaster Bujold's novel A Civil Campaign changes gender from female to male in order to qualify for her late brother's estate and seat on the governing council of Barrayar. The male successor who would take over if she remained female is portrayed as villainous and grasping, and apparently abused Lady Dono in her childhood. Lord Dono's new gender causes much political consternation and confusion on the traditionally conservative planet.