1960s
In the early 1960s, Dr. Robert Stoller founded the Gender Identity Research Clinic. This was the first gender clinic in the USA. It focused on the research and treatment facility of gender identity in children, and its primary goal was to “change the behaviors of ‘sissy boys’ and ‘tomboy’ girls” (Reicherzer 2008, p. 332). This clinic did not provide any form of gender reassignment surgery; instead, it focused on reinforcing gender conformity.
In 1966, Harry Benjamin, who had been providing hormone treatments to transsexuals since 1949, published The Transsexual Phenomenon, which attempted to delineate differences between homosexuality, transsexuality, and transvestism (Reicherzer 2008, p.333). Also in 1966, John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, began providing surgical treatments for transsexuals (Reicherzer 2008, p. 333).
The International Olympic Committee tested competing athletes and removed any transsexuals who wanted to compete in 1968 (Transgender History, 1968).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-II, published in 1968, “include[d] the diagnosis ‘sexual orientation disturbance [homosexuality]’” (Reicherzer 2008, p.237), which was removed in 1972 in response to gay rights activism. It suffered through many incorrect definitions, and was officially removed as a medical disorder in 1987. Both homosexuality and transvestitism were still classified as mental disorders (Reicherzer, p. 335).
In 1969, “transgender and gender-nonconforming people [were] among those who resisted arrest in a routine bar raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.” The Stonewall Riots are known to have ignited the LGBT rights movement, still happening today.
In 1966, Harry Benjamin, who had been providing hormone treatments to transsexuals since 1949, published The Transsexual Phenomenon, which attempted to delineate differences between homosexuality, transsexuality, and transvestism (Reicherzer 2008, p.333). Also in 1966, John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, began providing surgical treatments for transsexuals (Reicherzer 2008, p. 333).
The International Olympic Committee tested competing athletes and removed any transsexuals who wanted to compete in 1968 (Transgender History, 1968).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-II, published in 1968, “include[d] the diagnosis ‘sexual orientation disturbance [homosexuality]’” (Reicherzer 2008, p.237), which was removed in 1972 in response to gay rights activism. It suffered through many incorrect definitions, and was officially removed as a medical disorder in 1987. Both homosexuality and transvestitism were still classified as mental disorders (Reicherzer, p. 335).
In 1969, “transgender and gender-nonconforming people [were] among those who resisted arrest in a routine bar raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.” The Stonewall Riots are known to have ignited the LGBT rights movement, still happening today.
References
“Transgender History.” transgenderzone.com. 2011. Transgender Zone.
Reicherzer, Stacee. "Evolving Language And Understanding In The Historical Development Of The Gender Identity Disorder Diagnosis." Journal Of LGBT Issues In Counseling 2.4 (2008): 326-347.
Reicherzer, Stacee. "Evolving Language And Understanding In The Historical Development Of The Gender Identity Disorder Diagnosis." Journal Of LGBT Issues In Counseling 2.4 (2008): 326-347.
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