Pride Spotlight: CHRISTINE JORGENSEN (1926-1989)

CHRISTINE JORGENSEN (1926-1989) Transgender Icon

Christine Jorgensen was born on May 30, 1926, in the Bronx, New York. She was assigned male at birth, but always felt like a girl. In 1950, Christine went through a series of surgeries and hormone treatments that transformed her body into that of a woman. The process took nearly two years. She chose the name Christine in honor of her surgeon, Dr. Christian Hamburger.

Although she received offensive questions and rude jokes, Christine embraced the attention and saw it as an opportunity to control the narrative about her life and advocate for acceptance of transgender people. Christine often emphasized that no one had to be 100% male or 100% female. It was acceptable and normal to be a little of both. Christine fought for understanding and empathy for herself and others. She used her fame to start a career as a nightclub performer. Her act included a Wonder Woman costume and the song “I Enjoy Being a Girl.” Christine traveled the world and gave interviews on college campuses and television talk shows. She saw herself as an activist and educator, even in the face of frequent discrimination.

In 1967, Christine published her autobiography in which she wrote that she fought hard for a successful gender transition in the 1950s because it was her best opportunity for personal freedom. Although most people emphasized her outward change, she was most grateful for the inward one. To her, the most important transformation was the one from a shy, lonely, and depressed person to a happy, confident person who felt truly herself.