Saturday, June 09, 2007
Christine Jorgensen: Two Interviews
"I thought Christine Jorgensen's interview on the album "Christine Jorgensen Reveals" (1958) was so extraordinary that I wanted folks to be able to hear it in entirety, all 55 minutes. I think she displays quite well how articulate she was and I admire how well she handled the often inane questions with poise and a political correctness well in advance of the times. So, please enjoy the additional photos and the interview.
The interviewer, R. Russell, became more known later as comedian Nipsy Russell."
Looking Back: Christine Jorgensen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christine Jorgensen (May 30, 1926 – May 3, 1989), a noted photographer, was born George William Jorgensen, Jr. in The Bronx, New York City, USA, and is famous for having been one of the first persons to have sex reassignment surgery — in this case, male to female.
George Jorgensen had an unhappy childhood growing up in the Bronx, and later described herself as having been a "frail, tow-headed, introverted little boy who ran from fistfights and rough-and-tumble games."[1] Jorgensen graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in 1945 and was drafted into the Army afterward. When he returned to New York after the Army, he heard about the possibility of sex reassignment surgery, and researched it thoroughly. He intended to go to Sweden, where he had found the only doctors in the world performing these type of surgeries at the time. At a stopover in Copenhagen to visit relatives, he by chance was pointed in the direction of Dr. Christian Hamburger. He ended up staying in Denmark, was allowed to begin hormone replacement therapy and eventually underwent a series of surgeries.
A media sensation was created on December 1, 1952 when the New York Daily News carried a front-page story (under the headline "Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty") announcing that in Denmark Jorgensen had become the recipient of the first "sex change". This is not true, however. The type of surgery in question had actually been performed by pioneering German doctors in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Danish artist Lili Elbe and Dorchen, both patients of Dr Magnus Hirschfeld at the Institute of sexual science in Berlin, were known recipients of such operations in 1930-31. What was different this time, was the added prescription of artificial hormones. When Jorgensen returned to New York in February 1953, she became an instant celebrity. . . .
Italian health minister backs coverage for sex changes
Rome, Apr. 25, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Italy's health minister has indicated that she will support legislation to extend state health-care coverage to the costs of "sex-reassignment" therapy.
Italy's health service currently pays for the costs of surgery to alter the genitals of people who identify themselves as transsexuals. But Livia Turco, the health minister from the Democratic Left party, says that she will back a proposal to cover hormone replacement therapy, the removal or enlargement of breasts, permanent hair removal, and surgery to alter facial features in line with the patient's new gender identity.
"There is nothing scandalous about the national health service granting greater attention to transsexuals," Turco argued. "I think the hospital services should take responsibility for people who need to harmonize their bodies." . . .
Egypt: Sally’s Story
Sixteen years ago, Sayed Mursi went under the knife to become Sally, sparking a national debate on sex-change surgery.Today, as more and more children are born with genital defects, are we ready for round two?
By Azza KhattabI don’t know what drew my attention first: The imposing giant of a woman with the flame-colored hair, or the gargantuan chocolate sundae she was attacking with such obvious delight. Whatever else you care to say about her, know this: Sally Mursi is a woman with one hell of an appetite.
“Good for you,” I blurt out with a smile. “It doesn’t show at all!”
Sally, I quickly discover, takes compliments — and questions, criticism, barbs and simple observations — with a roaring laugh that rocks you back in your seat.
“I know how to spoil myself rotten,” she says triumphantly, feisty and cynical to the core. “To hell with dieting! Give me a break! No sane woman could say ‘No’ to this! What’s a kilo or two? Stand in front of the mirror, shake your booty and POOF — they’re gone!”
By this time, any doubts I had about this woman’s femininity have gone “poof” with her pearls of wisdom about chocolate ice cream. Only a woman could know such a basic truth.
As for shaking her booty? Sally knows a thing or two about that, too. Several times married and divorced, the former Azharite is known as Rahma, her stage name, in El-Haram’s most famous night clubs, where she takes on the role of the playful bimbo — the kind who winks, shoots you air kisses and croons “Hello, Baby!” as she belly dances around the floor. . . .
India: Chennai transgenders go quacks' way for sex change
By ANI
Saturday June 9, 01:38 PM
Chennai (Tamil Nadu), June 9 (ANI): Since sex change is not legal in India, transgenders in Chennai, go to unqualified doctors or quacks to get sex reconstruction surgery.
Instead of correcting the sex, they end up with physical ailments due to unscientific surgical processes used by the quacks.
Dhana Lakshmi, a doctor for South Indian Positive Network, a voluntary organisation, said most of the transgender community work as the sex workers. They feel that they are females.
"They think that the first hurdle for them is their genital organs. By removing their genital organs they think that they completely become a female physically," Lakshmi added.
Unfortunately, no one has been doing the surgery. So, people go to quacks, Lakshmi said.
Many a time, these transgenders go to Andhra Pradesh to get surgeries done there.
"A doctor in Kadappa in Andhra Pradesh operated upon me. After operation we faced some difficulties like we become fat, we can't walk as before," said Jeeva.
Eunuchs are also considered transgender, but they do not go for sex change surgeries. (ANI)
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