Christine Jorgensen - Transgender Pioneer

[Shana A]

Christine Jorgensen
Transgender Pioneer

LGBT History Month

http://lgbthistorymonth.com/christine-jorgensen

b. May 30, 1926
d. May 3, 1989

"Nature made a mistake, which I have had corrected."

Christine Jorgensen was the first nationally known transgender American. She used her fame to speak out on behalf of transgender people.

Born George Jorgensen Jr. and raised in the Bronx, she described herself as a "frail, tow-headed, introverted little boy who ran from fistfights and rough-and-tumble games." In 1945, after graduating high school, Jorgensen was drafted into the Army.

Jorgensen researched gender reassignment surgery. While visiting Copenhagen, she met Dr. Christian Hamburger, an endocrinologist and specialist in rehabilitative hormonal therapy. With Hamburger's help, Jorgensen became one of the first to combine hormone therapy with gender reassignment surgery. She chose the name Christine to honor Dr. Hamburger.

In 1952, based on an intercepted letter to her parents describing her transformation, the New York Daily News ran the headline "Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty."

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Friday, October 19, 2012
Know Your LGBT History - Christine Jorgensen
BlackTsunami

http://holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com/2012/10/know-your-lgbt-history-christine.html#.UIHSsClJQZ4.facebook

Therefore, I thought I should feature Christine Jorgensen, the first person to become widely known for receiving sexual reassignment surgery. Jorgensen was not the first person to receive sexual reassignment surgery, but in 1952, a cover story in the New York Daily News made her a celebrity and her willingness to be open and forthcoming with such dignity and poise made her an icon as far as I am concerned.

But what particularly makes Jorgensen a heroine of mine is her determination to live her life on her own terms, particularly in a time in which such things weren't as open as they are now.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Christine was the very first transsexual I ever heard of.  She lead me into my investigation into transsexualism.  And that was when I knew who I was.

She will always be my heroine.

[Joelene9]

Christine was the very first transsexual I ever heard of.  She lead me into my investigation into transsexualism.  And that was when I knew who I was.

She will always be my heroine.

Same here.  She was on a local TV talk show during prime time in the early 1960's.  The host of that show brought in a lot of celebrities and it was popular.  It was when my mom said that she was not a homosexual that gave me relief.  Some boys were institutionalized back then if they came out and was treated for homosexuality.  The playground admonitions of what will happen if I did come out or act out kept me from doing so.  I was being picked on anyway.  I came out to mom about 13 years later. 

  Joelene