Transgender Representation in 1952

I found this from a Tumblr post (surprise, surprise) and came here to share it right away. The image below is from a newspaper article from 1952 about one of the first patients of a gender-affirming surgery. 

Photo Credit: Cryingalonewithfrankenstein 

The first thing I noticed was how incredibly positive this article is! They use her correct pronouns and have nothing negative to say about her transition. Even if some bits would be considered politically uncorrect now, I think this article is more trans-positive than almost anything I read these days.

The original poster also included this translation of what the text in the image says:

George W. Jorgensen, Jr., son of a Bronx carpenter, served in the Army for two years and was given honorable discharge in 1946. Now George is no more. After six operations, Jorgensen’s sex has been changed and today she is a striking woman, working as a photographer in Denmark. Parents were informed of the big change in a letter Christine (that’s her new name) sent to them recently.

How cool is this?!?!

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Gender-Affirming Surgery: Surgeries which change the makeup and physical appearance of someone's body to relieve gender dysphoria.

Transition: Typically thought of as the time someone stops identifying with the sex they were assigned at birth and starts identifying with their gender identity; may or may not include hormones, surgeries, etc; Can mean something different to every transgender person

Trans: Short for transgender; Someone whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Oops: I Accidentally Misgendered Someone...Now What?

I'm misgendered on a daily basis. On mistake, on purpose, by strangers, by friends, family classmates, co-workers, and teachers, by people I'm not out to, by people I am out to. And yeah - it sucks. But it happens, and I get that. I know that it's not practical to expect the world around me to instantly know, use, or respect my gender identity.

This is a pretty universal mindset for transgender people. Nobody likes being misgendered - and at times it can really ruin your day/week/month and cause some pretty crappy gender dysphoria. But as much as we hate it we know it's gonna happen.

What makes all the difference is what goes on after it happens. Misgendering someone on purpose is never okay. But when it happens on accident - we get it. Accidents happen. Sometimes it's just out of habit - our names and pronouns are new and you're still getting used to it. Sometimes it's an honest slip of tongue. Sometimes you just didn't know and forgot not to assume. I'm trans and I know I've accidentally misgendered people. Probably more times than I do even know about, honestly.

The point is, it's not the end of the world if you screw up. If it's an honest accident, most transgender people aren't going to instantly hate you forever. But it is important to react appropriately when it does happen.

If you accidentally misgender someone...

Do:
Apologize: Say you're sorry, correct yourself, and move on quickly.
"We're still waiting for her- I'm sorry, him- to come. "
"We're still waiting for Alli-I'm sorry, Dallas - to come."



Don't:
Over-Apologize: We know you mean good, but drawing attention to it like this just makes it more uncomfortable. 
"We're still waiting for her...oh my god! Him! It's him. I'm sorry. We're waiting for him. Oh god I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I know it's him, not her. Him him him. I'll get it next time I promise. Him. Ugh, I'm sorry. I'm so so so sorry. Are you okay? Can you forgive me? Okay. We're waiting for HIM -to come."

It's really as easy as that!

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Misgender: To invalidate someone's gender; Usually by referring to them by an incorrect gender, incorrect pronouns, or a birth name".

Out: A term used for someone who has already "come out" about how they identify in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Gender Identity: A person's personal perception of their own gender

Transgender: Someone whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Gender Dysphoria: When someone experiences discomfort or distress over a mismatch between their gender identity and assigned sex at birth.

Petition to Make Binders Easily Accessible

I was reminded of a post I came across on Tumblr a while ago and thought it would be a great thing to share here.

Tyler Castro of Freehold, NJ has started a petition through Change.org in hopes to get big chain retail stores such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target to start selling chest binders in their establishments.

Why Is This Important?

• Since binders can be so difficult to obtain, many transmen resort to unsafe binding methods such as ace bandages and tape.
• Unsafe binding - either with dangerous methods such as bandages and tape or with binders that do not fit properly - can lead to broken, bruised, or floating ribs, suffocation, deformed or collapsed lungs, tissue and muscle injury, back and spine issues, and decreased blood flow. 
• Being able to try a binder on in-store makes the purchase safer and reduces the risk of buying one that is dangerously small or too large.
• Right now binders are only available for purchase online, and not everybody has access to the Internet to do so.
• Transgender youth who cannot come out to their guardians or people who are not yet out to those they live with would then be able to purchase one in store without anyone else knowing.
• While there are organizations that can sometimes help FtM's get a proper binder, these obviously cannot help everyone and are in short supply. Plus, binders are usually used so they are not as effective and do not last as long as a new binder.
• While definitely cheaper than top surgery, binders are still expensive and making them available in-store eliminates shipping costs.

As of today Tyler's petition still needs a little over 3500 signatures to reach the number he needs. Signing is free and can be anonymous! 

Click here to check it out and support the cause.

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Chest Binder: A compression vest used to give the appearance of a flattened chest, typically used by those who are FtM.

Transmen/FtM: (Synonymous terms) A transgender individual who is female to male.

Transgender: Someone whose biological sex does not align with their gender identity.

Top Surgery: Chest reconstruction surgery done to create a male-appearing chest.

These ARE Real Words!

This one's for everyone out there who has ever been told their identity "is not real". The online resource for the Oxford English Dictionary has added a whole bunch of trans-related terms to its collection!

You can read the full article by Life Outside the Binary here.

Photo credit also by Life Outside the Binary.