we've always been here

[Zrosey]

An excellent and interesting write up about Dora Richter, first folk known to under go gender reassignment surgery.

https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=news&sc=news&id=334020&title=transmissions:_dora_richter_lived

 

[Zrosey]

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/christine-jorgensen

It is really amazing learning the things some of the earlier transgender people experienced to live their true lives I do wonder if I would have had the strength to 'out' myself as they did.

 

[comegently]

Those who were brave enough revealed their true nature. Also April Ashley during the 1960s. In some cases, they lacked our modern language, and so described themselves using the words available to them.

 

[Zrosey]

Those who were brave enough revealed their true nature. Also April Ashley during the 1960s. In some cases, they lacked our modern language, and so described themselves using the words available to them.

In another thread i commented how I've been taking a deep dive into transgender history. What you say about them lacking the language is so true! Also medical help was so restrictive and undoubtedly not available for many folks struggling with gender. With these obstacles in mind, I'm pretty amazed how people managed and some survived...

 

[Zrosey]

A pretty sad story of Rachel Humphreys, the transgender girlfriend of musician Lou Reed.
Her story is documented in some of the comments people have left along with pictures.

https://www.hartisland.net/burial_records/rachel-humphreys

 

[stickygirl]

That Rachel Humphrey's story is very moving. I noted that she was keen to have surgery but he wasn't and liked 'him' the way she was... sheesh, I feel that. Her frustration in how he wanted her to be, physically.


Not historical but more political, do you have Julia Serano's books in your reading list?

 

[TallOne]

This is an interesting documentary on Casa Susanna which was an escape for trans women and crossdressers in the 50s/60s.

 

[Zrosey]

Not historical but more political, do you have Julia Serano's books in your reading list?

Thanks for dropping this here! And no, I'm not familiar with Serano at all, but I just checked into her homepage.....looks to be an amazing person.

 

[Zrosey]

This is an interesting documentary on Casa Susanna which was an escape for trans women and crossdressers in the 50s/60s.

This will be cool to check the YT out and learn more about Casa Susanna. Sadly I have to run off and start my day....happy monday to yall out there

 

[stickygirl]

Thanks for dropping this here! And no, I'm not familiar with Serano at all, but I just checked into her homepage.....looks to be an amazing person.

Crikey - you make me feel old!!
My own lil sister

 

[Zrosey]

Crikey - you make me feel old!!
My own lil sister

OMG! I've been listening to J. Serano's band https://www.bitesize.net/ and I'm loving this!
How did I not know about her????
Huge amount of stuff of her's to read too over on her site, as well as her substack...before I even get to the books!

 

[Zrosey]

This is an interesting documentary on Casa Susanna which was an escape for trans women and crossdressers in the 50s/60s.

Tuned up PBS last night at home, searched, and found Casa Susanna. What a poignant view of how it could have been to be gender expansive not so many years back.
Even in these current times of lgbtq scapegoatism, at least I am not arrested just for existing! Yet anyways....
Enjoyed seeing this, thanks for posting it!

 

[Zrosey]

Def need to include the story of Lili Elbe, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lili-Elbe, the information I've read claims her as the first recipient of gender confirmation surgery.
My first entry to this post is about Dora Richter, also written of as the first to receive GCS. By my way of thinking it doesn't really matter which one was the first, they were both incredibly brave women doing what they could to authentically live their lives and I admire them for this.

View attachment 2397152

 

[Zrosey]

Informative read on the history of our rainbow flag

https://www.glbthistory.org/rainbow-flag

 

[Zrosey]

I was curious about some history for transgender men and came across this page of mid twentieth century folks in the UK.

https://historicengland.org.uk/rese...ender-nonconforming-histories/trans-pioneers/

View attachment 2397775

 

[Zrosey]

Crossposting this, I've dropped it in the GLBT vibe thread as well. Perhaps more folks will see it here.
I think with some of the hateful rhetoric making the rounds about trans and LGBTQ folks these days the more representation by our own the better.

https://www.them.us/story/how-to-honor-sylvia-riveras-legacy

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sylvia-rivera

 

[Zrosey]

All about the nation's first gay rights group, the Society for Human Rights, founded 100 years ago​

https://www.advocate.com/media-library/henry-gerber-magnus-hirschfeld.jpg?id=55280161&width=980&quality=85
public domain via Gerber/Hart Library; Wellcome Images via Wikimedia Commons
From left: Henry Gerber and Magnus Hirschfeld

https://www.advocate.com/news/first-gay-rights-group

 

[Zrosey]

https://19thnews.org/2025/01/gender-affirming-care-attacks-history/

A new book out from SUNY press highlights the history of gender diverse medical care over the years. I'm anxious to check this book out, but I may have to wait until it is available to borrow.

 

[Sol41]

And we always will be. However we may need to draw strength and advice from our elders as we face the possibility of having to go back living the way they did.

 

[Zrosey]

And we always will be. However we may need to draw strength and advice from our elders as we face the possibility of having to go back living the way they did.

From the things I've read, community and being there to support each other seems to be a recurring idea. I think for many when they hear the word support used they think of money.
No doubt money can be important but for myself, even hearing someone gender me correctly, or use my chosen name feels like awesome support!

 

[Sol41]

From the things I've read, community and being there to support each other seems to be a recurring idea. I think for many when they hear the word support used they think of money.
No doubt money can be important but for myself, even hearing someone gender me correctly, or use my chosen name feels like awesome support!

Well the one thing I avoid is fandoms masquarading as comunities. Its become so toxic and those spaces are never healthy. Real communities arent looking for any excuse to expell, mock or other thier own.

Nothing can flatten our differences, but we can choose to look past the clique, reptile brain and see our similiarities instead.

 

[Zrosey]

Real communities arent looking for any excuse to expell, mock or other thier own.

And I think community can be as small as several friends gathering together. it doesn't have to be a big planned event thing.
I live in a very small rural setting so much of my get togethers often are online things. I wish I had more RL sisters an brothers here, but I'll do the best with what I have!

 

[Sol41]

I agree!

Hey me too. Country gal my whole life.

 

[Zrosey]

we face the possibility of having to go back living the way they did.

How else might us queers need to adapt? Other ideas how trans folk survived not many years back?

I know I've read in NYC it was a law a person had to be wearing a minimum of three correctly gendered items of clothes or they could (and were) be arrested!

 

[Sol41]

Well, one is to stop pushing others away. Truly understand were in tis together. Stop the fighting w gay people, stop fighting with each other.
Wether you pass better than me or not, weve got to get out of our reactionary feelings and see big picture wise.
And Im not advocating to band together and burn shit down. Propaganda of the deed shows that never ever accomplishes anything good.
But instead doing what we have to to keep our heads down and help eachother weather this storm.

And if I may give some personal genuine trying to help you advice, dont watch the news. Dont read the news. Misinformation is everywhere my dear. And knowing whats coming wont put you any more in control. In times like these the most revolutionary thing we can do, is live well and happy.

But thats just one elder millenials take.