Looking Back at the History of Transgenders

To my fellow transgender queens out there, we all know that showing our true gender identity has not always been easy.

In today’s world, where several people have accepted that gender does not necessarily mean a male or female, has it ever crossed your mind how transgender women handle criticisms and negative opinions in the past?

I did my research, so let me share with you the history of transgender people — from different mythologies to how their lives were in different countries and transgender organizations.

You will certainly be amazed at how transgender people lived in the past and overcame whatever society threw at them!

Sit back and read this blog to discover how transgender people were in the past to be more proud of your real identity!

1. Greek Mythology

I love Greek mythology, and I was certainly amazed when I read that transgender gods and goddesses were worshipped in Greek mythology!

You’ll be shocked to know that even Poseidon and Zeus had experiences with same-sex love, and mortals and demigods continued to look up to them.

Other famous beings in Greek mythology who were transgender and loved creatures of the same sex were The Great God Pan (a half-man and half-goat), Hermes (the winged messenger of all gods), and Crocus.

Aside from transgender women, there were also stories of transgender men, such as the forbidden love between Artemis and Callisto.

Their story is one of the oldest and most famous lesbian tales in Greek mythology, and I was personally saddened upon knowing how the love between these two ended.

Callisto turned into a she-bear, and Artemis almost slew her, not until Zeus appeared and turned her into a famous constellation, Ursa Major.

You can still see this famous constellation today, up in the sky, and the next time you see it again, remind yourself of the tragic transgender love story between Artemis and Calisto.

2. Hinduism

I had little knowledge about Hinduism, so it’s one of the topics I certainly researched a lot about.

And honestly, I was shocked at how open this religion was about gender, not merely masculinity and femininity!

Transgender people were admired and embraced by everyone, even the deities!

They believed that gender is not fixed and constant, and anyone is free to shift and become who they truly desire.

For Hinduism, there are two realms of the world – spiritual and material.

According to this religion, the spiritual world is boundless, allowing gender not to be limited to being male or female.

In several Hindu tales, anyone can switch gender instantly with magic or in reaction to another person’s character.

A person can also spontaneously change his identity between lifetimes by reincarnation.

Even Hindu Gods and deities can manifest any gender simultaneously, including Bahuchara Mata.

On the other hand, Braham, the absolute and ultimate universe spirit, decided to be genderless.

3. Literature

Even in epics and stage plays, many shows and stories manifested poetic verses conveying moral codes and involved stories of transgender Hindu deities.

An example of a famous epic was Shikhandi’s story, born a female and recognized as a male.

Ultimately, a Yaksha spirit changed his gender, becoming a war hero.

Even more fascinating is how stage actors and actresses wear different outfits to switch gender roles.

I watched the play entitled “The Merchant of Venice,” and I was certainly amazed at how the men wore corsets, girdles, and wigs to play the role of transgender women!

4. Countries

No matter where you are from, there are several stories of transgender people in the past that you’ll certainly admire!

● Africa

It was a sad history for Africa since most transgender people faced judgments and stigma every day in the past.

They cannot access any reassignment surgery or hormone therapy, especially in Morocco.

In most parts of Algeria, transgender people lived secretly, and most of them sought refuge in France.

These countries and cities were the only ones where trans people experienced discrimination, hate, and torture.

It was not until 2000 that they started to live better with the rise of a few transgender organizations.

In North Africa, the Nuba tribe consisted of male-assigned people dressed and living as women.

Some of them also chose to marry men.

However, the modern Sudanese state believes that transgender people are a bane of existence, and even crossdressing is illegal.

Also, in Central Africa, transgender women faced daily discrimination and even violence as they were banned from accessing proper healthcare, housing, work, and education. You’ll be surprised that most of them were also jailed and attacked!

● America

I’m quite amazed that even the Native American tribes consisted of third-gender roles from where I’m from.

The first Canadian transgender person who underwent sex reassignment surgery was Dianna Boileau in 1970.

She finally shared her story in front of several press outlets in 1972.

However, it was not until 2002 that gender identity and sexual orientation were included in the Human Rights Act of the Northwest Territories.

We’re lucky that we live in the modern world because it was only in 2012 that expressing one’s true gender identity became a part of the Human Rights Code.

● Israel

1998 was a great year for Dana International when she was the first transgender person to win the Eurovision Song Contest.

Aderet, a singer and transgender woman, became a hit star in Israel and Lebanon in 2008.

Israel is also famous for its Tel Aviv Parade, which occurs every second week of Pride Month.

This festivity is one of the most famous parades in the country.

Until today, most transgender Israeli do not forget the parade in 2015 led by Gila Goldstein, one of the first transgender Israeli who was also one of the first few undergoing sex reassignment surgery in the 1960s.

● China

Eunuchs, imperial servants dating back to 3000 years ago, were often viewed as a third gender or a certain kind of transgender practice.

Even in Chinese theater, crossdressing roles to play transgender roles were common, as stage plays portrayed the life of transgender Chinese people back during the Qing and Ming dynasties.

Even in Taiwan, a famous story of Xie Jianshun rose as it was reported that doctors forced this intersex man to undergo sex reassignment surgery.

The frenzy about this famous story led to increased acceptance of transgender and intersex people in general.

● Japan

There were extensive stories of transgender people in the old Japanese times, especially during the Edo period.

Female actors were banned from joining stage plays during this period.

Hence, several male Japanese crossdressed as women to play transgender roles, and most of them behaved, dressed, and ate as women even outside their performances.

However, beyond the entertainment industry, transgender people face daily discrimination.

In 2004, a law was passed requiring all Japanese who desire to change their gender identity and undergo surgery in sex reassignment to be sterilized, stay single, and bear no children until they turn 20 years old.

● Philippines

The history of transgender people in the Philippines dates back even before the colonization of the Spanish, when several Filipinos believed in a unique religion, “Animism.”

In Anitism, gender is not split into male and female. Instead, a man is expected to take on several roles regardless of their biological sex.

According to the past Tagalog people, a special creation story involved love and a bond between two transgender people – Lakampati and Bathala.

Lakampati was the transgender goddess of agriculture and fertility, while Bathala was the supreme God.

A special bond was created between these two majestic beings when Lakampati gave a ball of clay to Bathala to mold hills and rivers.

Even today, many Filipinos believe in Lakapati as a modern-day deity as she protects transgender people from facing violence, discrimination, and even death.

5. Online Transgender Support Groups

Because the internet continues to make a mark in today’s world, several online transgender support groups were also created to encourage and help transgender people.

● Trans Lifeline

One of the best support groups I found is Trans Lifeline. It’s free and offers various resources to individuals who question their gender identities.

Trans Lifeline also offers microloans to individuals who wish to undergo transitional surgeries and therapies but lack the means.

You don’t have to worry about your information’s privacy because Trans Lifeline keeps all details confidential and anonymous.

However, a downside of this support group is its hotline that’s not available 24/7; you can only reach a call center agent from 10 am to 4 pm.

● The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project advocates teens to young adults aged 13 to 25.

Additionally, it created TrevorSpace, an online support community where you can chat with other transgender and make friends.

The hotline is available 24/7, but it does not guarantee anonymity and confidentiality.

● Transbucket

If you are looking for a support group for transgender who underwent surgeries, check out Transbucket. You can expect free courses or seminars on medical transitions and resources about various surgeries and procedures available.

It also features a long directory of highly experienced physicians.

However, a downside of this support group is that it has no hotline support. It’s only an online resource you can browse for future references.

● Gender Spectrum

Gender Spectrum is a great online support group for transgender teens and their families.

It offers free online resources and lets you connect with individuals experiencing the same challenges as you do.

However, there is no hotline available.

● The Tribe – LGBTQ+ Group

From the list of online support groups, this is one I have tried.

The Tribe is an online community ideal for transgender people who need guidance for their mental health.

It’s free for all; it offers various resources to help you cope with the stress and challenges brought about by determining your gender identity.

This online support also features a directory of therapists you can seek help from.

However, it’s mainly an online resource, and there are no hotlines available you can call.

6. Essential Transgender Roles

In the 2000s, more transgender people rose to hold different high positions as they fought for their advocacies in promoting equality and justice for the LGBT community.

Several transgender icons held political positions, joined worldwide beauty pageants, starred in famous movies, participated in famous sports competitions, and more.

I definitely look up to these transgender people, as they have proved that gender should not define what we can do and contribute to society.

7. Be Proud of Your Gender Identity

The stories I discovered only prove that no matter how many struggles and challenges we may face as transgender women, it’s certainly rewarding when we can be our true selves.

I loved knowing how Greek Mythology also consisted of transgender people because it’s my favorite genre to read about when I have my free time.

How about you? What other past stories do you know about transgender people? Let me know in the comments below!