Pre-1960s
Not much happened before the 1960s in the history of Gender Identity Disorder and sexual reassignment surgeries, but “the formal identification and classification of what was considered gender nonconformity … began during the late 1920s” (Reicherzer 2008, p.330). Two males identifying as female in London, England underwent the first documented genital reassignment surgeries. This was a new surgery, performed with risk and judgment. The doctor who operated decided to do so based on his concern that the patients would self-mutilate their genitals in a misguided attempt at creating their own vaginas (Reicherzer 2008, p. 330).
Other experiments occurred in the 1920s and 30s, most of which occurred at Magnus Hirshfield’s Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin, Germany. Hirshfield's work was halted in 1933 when the Nazis took over (Reicherzer 2008, p. 330-331). During the Second World War (1939-1945), Nazis murdered and sterilized known transgender people. Several physicians and researchers who contributed to transgender medicine attempted to flee Germany; those who couldn’t chose to commit suicide during the war (Transgender History, 1933).
By 1947, “people seeking ‘sexual transmutation’ were receiving increased medical attention” (Reicherzer 2008, p.331). Harry Benjamin began to provide hormone treatments to transsexuals in 1949 (Transgender History, 1949).
“Prior to the 1950s, transsexualism was an experience discussed almost exclusively in the medical literature of Western Europe” (Reicherzer 2008, pg. 332). Most other cultures did not acknowledge the existence of transsexuals, and transsexuals did not receive widespread attention until an American GI named George Jorgensen became Christine Jorgensen in 1952 (Reicherzer 2008, p.332), when other transsexuals began seeking information.
Other experiments occurred in the 1920s and 30s, most of which occurred at Magnus Hirshfield’s Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin, Germany. Hirshfield's work was halted in 1933 when the Nazis took over (Reicherzer 2008, p. 330-331). During the Second World War (1939-1945), Nazis murdered and sterilized known transgender people. Several physicians and researchers who contributed to transgender medicine attempted to flee Germany; those who couldn’t chose to commit suicide during the war (Transgender History, 1933).
By 1947, “people seeking ‘sexual transmutation’ were receiving increased medical attention” (Reicherzer 2008, p.331). Harry Benjamin began to provide hormone treatments to transsexuals in 1949 (Transgender History, 1949).
“Prior to the 1950s, transsexualism was an experience discussed almost exclusively in the medical literature of Western Europe” (Reicherzer 2008, pg. 332). Most other cultures did not acknowledge the existence of transsexuals, and transsexuals did not receive widespread attention until an American GI named George Jorgensen became Christine Jorgensen in 1952 (Reicherzer 2008, p.332), when other transsexuals began seeking information.
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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