A Short History of Transgender/Transsexualism

Written by Tamera Sheehan

The Question and the Surprise Answer

Is Transgenderism a modern American Phenomena?

No not at all. It only seems that way because our modern American culture is talking more publicly about ‘Transgender Issues’, such ‘Sex Changes/Transsexualism,’ ‘Crossdressing’ and ‘Intersexuals’. But the fact is: Transsexuality is caused by hormonal alteration of the brain and the nervous system of fetuses in the womb. It is a birth defect. And such defects are a natural part of human life. This leads to an obvious conclusion. Transgenderism/Transsexuality has been around as long as mankind has been around. 

In The Beginning – The Shaman

Where is the oldest known Transgenderism found?

Anthropologists, Archaeologists and others have evidence that the phenomena of Transgenderism has manifested itself from 30,000 years ago to rather recent times. In the process, Shamanism has influenced the people of almost every place on earth. The people of these ancient cultures provided a special place for the Shaman. They did this because the Shaman was a person who was thought to have special knowledge that gave him the ability to control the weather and cure disease. The proof for these beliefs arose from the simple fact that this special person was observed to possess great supernatural powers. He was thought to have a special knowledge that gave him the ability to control the weather and cure disease. The proof for these beliefs arose from the simple fact that this special person was observed to possess a high degree of both masculinity and feminine qualities. The shaman was often homosexual, sometimes very effeminate, and often viewed as a Transsexual. The tribe members were reminded of the Shaman’s specialness by the fact that he usually wore women’s clothing. 

How do two Egyptian pharohs’ fit the picture?

Students of ancient Egyptology knows that in about 1450 BC. Egypt was ruled by a woman pharaoh. Her name was Hatshepsut. Females were not allowed to be pharaohs so Hatshepsut almost always presented herself as a man. The art of the day depicted her in a male kilt and topless with no breats. It is clear that her crossdressing was done to gain and retain political power. A short time laterm a male by the name of Amenhotep followed in her footsteps. He married a woman by the name of Nefertiti, and after he ascended to the throne of Eygypt, he took the name, Akhenaten. History has dubbed him the ‘heretic king’ because he tried to dethrone the gods of Egypt and establish a cult of worship to the ‘One God’, whom he called ‘Aten’.  The art of his day almost always pictured him with full female breasts and broad hips. This may or may not have been a real condition caused by faulty genes. In any case, Akhenaten seems to have raised Nefertiti to almost as high a status as himself. The royal couple is often pictured wearing almost identical clothing and wigs. One Egyptian scholar suggest that Akhenaten made war on the Eygyptian gods because of his Transsexual desire to be a girl. He may have made this request to Amen-Min. When it went ungranted, he had all the penises removed from all the statues of the gods.

Other Historical Examples

Were there really Transsexuals in Ancient Rome?

The celebration of Transsexualism, in some societies was not always neat and clean. For example: in ancient Rome, Phrygian worshippers of the goddess Cybele would choose their gender and cut off their genetalia. They would run through the streets and throw their genetalia away. It was even tough to be a Transsexual even then. After being nursed back to health, the Transsexuals were dressed in female clothing and assumed female names and gender roles. A practice much like this survived into the 20th century in India among a sect called the Hijiras. After undergoing a primitive form of Sexual Reassignment Suthe Transsexuals were dressed in female clothing and assumed female names and gender roles. A practice much like this survived into the 20th century in India among a sect called the Hijiras. After undergoing a primitive form of Sexual Reassignment Surgery, they are recognized as true females. 

Do the American Indians offer any Trans examples?

The Navahos of the United States southwest officially recognize three sexes. They are ‘male’, ‘female’, and ‘nadles’. The last was considered to be both or neither ‘male and female’. Those born Intersexed (Hermaphrodite) and those who chose to be this ‘Third Sex’, were admitted into this Transsexual classification. Among the Sioux, the ‘winkte’ served in much the same fashion. However, both males and females could could choose their own gender, cross over, and live it. Thus biological females could live life as male warriors. No special magic was involved. However a primitive surgery was performed on the men. It consisted of riding, for days on a hard saddle, to crush the testicles. 

Give a European example of Transgenderism

In the 1800’s, an ancient Transsexual (Transgenderist) custom was discovered in the Balkans. It seems that, from the most ancient times, it was possible for women to become men, legally and socially. When a male heir was not available, the law allowed a woman from the family to legally become a male to preserve the family’s land. All the female had to do was swear to remain a virgin. From that moment she was expected to act and dress like a man. In return, she was granted male privileges and treated like a man.

 Western Medicine & Public Interest

When did medicine begin to study Transsexualism?

Richard von Krafft-Ebing studied the problem of Transsexuality and published his work in 1893. This led, in 1930, to the first attempt at Sex Reassignment Surgery. Einar Wegener asked to be operated on and was. She took the name Lily Elbe, but died a short time later due to surgical complications. 

What did Christine Jorgensen contribute?

All this leads directly to former American Soldier, George Jorgensen. He became ‘Christine’ in 1953, in Denmark. He also became the object of a great deal of American media attention. 

When did modern medicine get serious about TS?

In the 1960’s a few brave doctors began to seriously study the problem of Transsexuality. One of them was a man by the name of Dr. Harry Benjamin. He published the results of his research into the problem in 1966. This, in time, lead to the formation of ‘The harry Benjamin international Gender Dysphoria Association’. Soon doctors around the globe were devising safe methods for ‘Sexual Reassignment Surgery’. 

When did Transgenderism/Transsexuality finally become visible to the average American?

In the 1970’s ‘Sex Change’ became the ‘In thing’ to talk about in the media. This was because show producers found it to be a topic that attracted an audience. Glam Rock groups (usually male) also raised consciousness. Teen stars began appearing as Gender Benders. 

The Conclusion

Over the millennia the Transgendered, especially the Transsexuals, were considered magical, a kin to the gods. They had great power. During the last 200 yeas, western culture has condemned them as immoral. Finally in the 21st century, they are being recognized as normal people with a fixable birth defect. The future looks bright.

Resources for this article

What Transsexuality is: Definition, Cause and History, 1998.

Bullough, Ph.D., Bonnie & Vern, Eds.  Gender Blending, Prometheus Books, Amherst, N.Y., 1997. It also contains the following:

The Gender Heresy of Akhenaten by Winnie Brant, pp. 215-226.

The Gynemimetic Shaman by William Dragoin, pp. 227-247.

The Balkan Sworn Virgin by Mildred Dickemann, pp. 248-2855.