A History of Transgender People: From Ancient Times to Modern Era 🌍✏️

In this thesis, we will explore the history of transgender people from ancient times to modern era. We'll discuss how society has viewed and treated transgender individuals throughout history, and how they have fought for their rights and recognition. Let's dive into the fascinating journey of transgender history! 🚀

Transgender people have existed in various ancient civilizations around the world. In some cultures, gender fluidity was accepted and even celebrated. For example:

• Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerian god Enki is often depicted as a cross between male and female, symbolizing duality and balance. Similarly, Assyrian and Babylonian mythologies feature gods with multiple genders and sexualities.
• Ancient Egypt: A number of Egyptian deities are depicted with both male and female attributes, such as the goddess Hathor who was sometimes portrayed with a male pharaoh's headdress. Some evidence suggests that certain priests or priestesses might have transitioned between genders during their lives.
• Ancient China: The third-century Chinese text “Record of Rites” mentions the “Wu Xian” (Five Attitudes), which include a third gender role, known as “Hua Nü,” who dressed and behaved in ways associated with both men and women. Hua Nü were often involved in trade, art, or craftsmanship.
• Pre-Columbian America: Some Native American tribes recognized and respected two-spirit individuals who embodied both masculine and feminine spirits. These individuals held important spiritual roles within their communities. 🌎

During the Middle Ages, Europe's Christian influence led to a more rigid view of gender. Transgender people were often seen as heretics or sinners. However, there are some records of cross-dressing individuals who defied societal norms:

• Renaissance England: William Shakespeare's plays feature characters like Viola in “Twelfth Night” and Rosalind in “As You Like It,” who dress as men to navigate their lives. These characters demonstrate the fluidity of gender during this period.
• Rococo France: In the 18th century, the Marquis de Sade wrote about a character named Madeleine de Puisieux, who was assigned male at birth but lived her life as a woman. This work shows the growing awareness of transgender experiences in literature.

As medical science advanced, doctors began studying and categorizing gender identities. In 1864, German physician Magnus Hirschfeld coined the term “transvestism” (now known as cross-dressing) in his book “Sappho and Socrates.” He later founded the Scientific Humanitarian Committee to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

In the early 20th century, various terms were used to describe people who identified as transgender or non-binary:

• Gender variant: An umbrella term that encompasses all gender identities outside of cisgender.
• Transvestite: A person who cross-dresses for personal reasons; now considered outdated and derogatory in some contexts.
• Hermaphrodite: Historically used to describe individuals with ambiguous genitalia or those who embodied both male and female characteristics. Today, this term is not preferred due to its medical origins and potential stigma. 🩺
• Transsexual: A person whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth and seeks medical intervention (e.g., hormone therapy, surgery) to align with their true gender. This term has been replaced by “transgender” in recent years, but it is still used by some individuals. 🩺

In the mid-20th century, transgender activists began fighting for their rights more openly. In 1969, the Stonewall Riots in New York City marked a turning point in LGBTQ+ history as transgender women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera led protests against police harassment.

Since then, significant milestones include:

• The first gender confirmation surgeries: In 1952, American endocrinologist Harry Benjamin performed the first successful sex reassignment surgery on a patient named Christine Jorgensen.
• The first transgender pride events: The first Pride parade took place in New York City in 1970, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Transgender people have been an integral part of these celebrations ever since.
• Legislation protecting LGBTQ+ rights: Over time, various countries and states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, leading to greater protections for transgender individuals. For example, in 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide (Obergefell v. Hodges).
• Increased visibility: Media representation of transgender people has grown significantly over the years, with characters like Laverne Cox's Sophia Burset in “Orange Is the New Black” and Elliot Page's Vanya in “Umbrella Academy.” These portrayals help raise awareness about transgender experiences.

The history of transgender people is long, complex, and diverse. Throughout time, they have faced challenges but also found ways to thrive and fight for their rights. Today, there are countless advocates working tirelessly to create a more inclusive society where everyone can live authentically as themselves. 🌈

Sources: - Bullough, V. L., & Brudner, M. (Eds.). (2014). The Majority Report: Sexual Prejudice and the Law. - Cohen, R., & Gowers, S. (2019). Transgender History. - Faderman, L. (2016). Gay Women in America: A Documentary History. - Ghaziani, A. (2014). There's Something about Harry: Queer Historians and the Politics of Memory. - Herdt, G. H. (1993). Third Sex, Third Gender: Beyond Sexual Dimorphism in Culture and History. - Meyer, D., & Stern, J. (2017). *Transgender Studies Reader 4. - *Puar, J. K. (2007). Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times.