LISTS

The Most Famous Transgenders in History

Though the term ‘transgender’ was coined in 1965, the concept itself is as old as history. Long before the world made attempts to come to terms with different sexual orientation, people have struggled with their sexual identity. Among them were famous individuals who contributed to the betterment of society. Here is a list of such famous transgenders.

1. Angela Morley

Angela Morley
    
Birthday: 10 March 1924
Born In: Leeds, England
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died On: 14 January 2009
Famous As: Composer

Angela won three 'Emmy Awards' for her work as a music composer. After struggling with her gender identity for almost 46 years, she transitioned to live as a woman in 1970 when she had sex reassignment surgery. Two years later, she publicly came out as a woman.

2. Billy Tipton

Billy Tipton
    
Birthday: 29 December 1914
Born In: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died On: 21 January 1989
Famous As: Musician

Billy Tipton assumed a male gender identity and chose not to reveal his female birth sex to family and friends. His birth sex was not revealed to the public until after his death.

3. Virginia Prince

Virginia Prince
    
Birthday: 23 November 1912
Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Died On: 02 May 2009
Famous As: Publisher

Virginia Prince was an American transgender activist. He began cross-dressing at the age of 12 and, as an 18-year-old, passed off a female at a Halloween party. He learned to accept his transvestite nature when he was 30 years old after consulting the renowned psychiatrist Karl Bowman. Through her writings and actions, she became a significant yet controversial pioneer of the transgender community.

4. We'wha

We
    
Birthday: 1849
Born In: New Mexico, United States
Died On: 1896
Famous As: Artist

We'wha is the most popular documented Zuni Native American Lhamana. A Lhamana in Zuni culture is a male-bodied person who assumes social and ceremonial roles and responsibilities performed by women.

5. Carlett A. Brown

Carlett A. Brown
    
Birthday: 1927
Born In: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Famous As: Navy Veteran

Carlett Brown Angianlee, a United States Navy veteran, was born Charles Brown. The discovery of her female glands at the 'US Naval Hospital' proved that she was intersex. Wanting to undergo sex reassignment surgery, Carlett planned to move to Europe. However, it is unknown if she made it to Europe.