Coffee, Curiosity, and a Confession
The first time I Googled who was the first transgender person, I expected a neat, tidy answer. You know, like a trivia fact you could drop at a dinner party. Instead, I found myself staring at centuries of history, myth, and lived experience that refused to fit into a single name or date.
And honestly? That made me uncomfortable. I like answers. I like clarity. But this topic reminded me of the time I tried to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions—it looked simple at first, but the deeper I went, the more I realized I had to sit with the complexity.
Why “First” Is a Tricky Question
Here’s the thing: transgender people have existed for as long as humanity has recorded stories. Ancient Sumerian priests known as the gala (around 3000 BCE) lived outside traditional gender roles. In India, the hijra community has been recognized for centuries. And in Native American cultures, Two-Spirit people have long held respected roles.
So, was there a “first”? Not really. What we can say is that across time and geography, people have always lived authentically in ways that didn’t fit neatly into binary boxes.
Did You Know? Christine Jorgensen became the first American widely known for gender-affirming surgery in the 1950s, but Frances Thompson, a formerly enslaved Black woman, testified before Congress as a trans woman in the 19th century—decades earlier.
My Own Misstep: Reducing People to Headlines
I’ll confess another mistake. When I first learned about Christine Jorgensen, I caught myself thinking, “Ah, so she was the first transgender person.” That was lazy thinking on my part. I reduced a whole spectrum of human experience to a single headline.
The lesson? People aren’t milestones. They’re not “firsts” or “lasts.” They’re individuals with stories, struggles, and triumphs. And when we flatten them into trivia, we miss the richness of their humanity.
The Power of Representation
Still, representation matters. When Jorgensen’s story hit the front pages in 1952, it gave visibility to countless people who had felt invisible. Similarly, Lili Elbe, whose life inspired The Danish Girl, brought awareness to gender-affirming surgery in Europe decades earlier.
These stories remind us that while no one person can be “the first,” each visible life creates ripples. They open doors for others to walk through.
A Challenge for Us: The 3-Day Experiment
If you’re like me, you might sometimes struggle to move beyond labels and really see people. Here’s a small challenge I tried—and it changed me:
The 3-Day Experiment
Day 1: Notice your assumptions. When you meet someone new, pause and ask yourself: “What am I assuming about their identity?”
Day 2: Listen more than you speak. If someone shares their story, resist the urge to categorize—just absorb.
Day 3: Reflect. Write down one thing you learned about yourself by practicing this awareness.
It’s simple, but it’s like cleaning your glasses—you suddenly see the world with more clarity.
Common Questions About Transgender History
Q: Was Christine Jorgensen the first transgender person?
A: No. She was the first widely publicized American to undergo gender-affirming surgery, but transgender people have existed throughout history.
Q: Are there examples in non-Western cultures?
A: Absolutely. The hijra in South Asia, Two-Spirit people in Native American traditions, and the galli priests of ancient Rome are just a few examples.
Q: Why don’t we know more names from earlier history?
A: Because many lived in secrecy or were erased by dominant cultural narratives. But their existence is undeniable.
Coming Full Circle
Remember how I said I wanted a neat answer to who was the first transgender person? Here’s what I’ve learned: the question itself is too small. The truth is bigger, richer, and more human than a single name.
And maybe that’s the point. History isn’t about finding the first—it’s about honoring the many.
So here’s my invitation: share your own story, or a story that moved you, in the comments. Because every voice adds to the chorus, and every story matters.