Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History Month UK

Claiming our history, celebrating our present and creating our future!

Lesbian Line by/copyright Pam Isherwood www.pamisherwood.co.uk

Biographies of famous LGBT people

Christine Jorgensen 1926-1989

Christine is often mentioned as the first modern example of someone undergoing gender transition, but the story of Lili Elbe elsewhere on this site will prove this view to be mistaken. Indeed, it may not even be the case that Christine was the first US citizen to have gender confirmation surgery as it is possible that Hedy-Jo Starr may have beaten her to it.

However, it is certainly true that Christine's transition created a media sensation. She once boasted that her story managed to knock the nuclear tests of the nineteen fifties off the front page

Christine spent part of her career in theatre and review work and part as a spokesperson for the trans community. She was well known for her direct approach and wit when talking to college audiences about her experiences.

An autobiography, entitled: 'Christine Jorgensen, a personal biography' was published in 1967 and film, 'The Christine Jorgensen story', based upon this, was produced in 1970. Christine also gets a mention in the 1994 film: 'Ed Wood' (the eponymous producer of that well known trans film 'Glen or Glenda' and other such epic awfulnesses!).

Christine continued to represent the trans community until her death in 1989. Perhaps Christine's approach to life might be best summed up in her own words:

'Does it take bravery and courage for a person with polio to want to walk? It's hard to speculate on, but if I hadn't done what I did, I may not have survived. I may not have wanted to live. Life simply wasn't worth much. Some people may find it easy to live a lie. I can't. And that's what it would have been- telling the world I'm something I'm not."

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