Christine Jorgensen (1926-1989)

“Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty” blared the front page of the New York Daily News newspaper on December 1st, 1952. Christine Jorgensen was at the centre of attention as the first international Trans+ celebrity. The extensive media coverage introduced the public to the idea that it was possible to change your sex; the world was becoming more aware of Trans+ people.

Christine Jorgensen released her autobiography in 1967 with an introduction by Dr. Harry Benjamin lauding her for her important advocacy work. Autobiographies like Jorgensen’s were one of the few platforms available to Trans+ people that enabled them to reach cisgender audiences.

The publicity about Christine Jorgensen enabled many Trans+ people to finally have an idea about who they were. Jude Patton was one of them. Listen to him reflect on hearing about Christine Jorgensen for the first time.