25 Most Notable Transgendered People
Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed a significant increase in awareness and acceptance of transgender people. Transgender individuals have been fighting for their rights and visibility for centuries, and the struggles they have faced have been well-documented.
Despite this, transgender people have continued to make their mark in various fields, including entertainment, politics, literature, and sports.
The Most Important Transgendered People of The Last 100 Years
In this article, we have compiled a list of 25 of the most notable transgender individuals from 1900 to the present day. This list includes people who have made significant contributions to society, advanced the cause of transgender rights, and who have become household names in their respective fields.
One of the earliest known transgender individuals was Lili Elbe, a Danish painter who became one of the first recipients of gender confirmation surgery. She paved the way for future generations of transgender individuals who have been able to live as their authentic selves thanks to advances in medical technology.
Christine Jorgensen, an American transgender woman, made headlines in the early 1950s when she underwent sex reassignment surgery. Her public transition was groundbreaking, and she became a vocal advocate for transgender rights.
The Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York City, often credited with sparking the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, were led in part by two transgender women of color, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. Their contributions to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights cannot be overstated, and they remain icons in the community today.
In recent years, transgender individuals such as Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, and Caitlyn Jenner have become well-known figures, appearing on magazine covers and television shows and using their platforms to raise awareness of transgender issues. Especially the panic over restrooms--see our post, The Trans Bathroom Panic Explained.
This list is important for several reasons. Firstly, it showcases the incredible contributions that transgender individuals have made throughout history. By highlighting the achievements of these individuals, we hope to inspire and encourage future generations of transgender people to pursue their dreams and make their mark on the world.
Secondly, this list is a reminder that transgender people have been a part of society for centuries and that their stories deserve to be told. Too often, transgender individuals are erased from history or relegated to the sidelines, but their contributions have been invaluable.
Finally, this list is a celebration of the incredible resilience and strength of the transgender community. Despite facing discrimination, harassment, and violence, transgender people have persisted and thrived, making significant contributions in various fields and advancing the cause of transgender rights.
1. Lili Elbe (1882-1931)
A Danish painter and one of the first known recipients of gender confirmation surgery.
2. Christine Jorgensen (1926-1989)
An American transgender woman who became famous for having sex reassignment surgery in the early 1950s.
3. Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002)
An American transgender rights activist, known for her role in the Stonewall riots and co-founding the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR).
4. Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992)
An American transgender woman and prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist, also known for her role in the Stonewall riots and co-founding STAR.
5. Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (b. 1940)
An American transgender activist, focusing on the rights and wellbeing of transgender women of color.
6. Jan Morris (1926-2020)
A Welsh historian and travel writer who transitioned in the 1970s.
7. Renée Richards (b. 1934)
An American ophthalmologist, tennis player, and coach, who fought a legal battle to compete as a woman in professional tennis after her transition.
8. Lou Sullivan (1951-1991)
An American author and activist, who was instrumental in the modern understanding of transgender men and the transgender experience.
9. Caroline Cossey (b. 1954)
A British model and actress, known for her role in the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only." She fought for transgender rights after being outed by the tabloid press.
10. Leslie Feinberg (1949-2014)
An American transgender activist and author, best known for the novel "Stone Butch Blues."
11. Kate Bornstein (b. 1948)
An American author, performance artist, and gender theorist, known for her books on gender and transgender issues.
12. Chaz Bono (b. 1969)
An American writer, musician, and actor, known for being the son of Sonny and Cher and his work advocating for transgender rights.
13. Lana Wachowski (b. 1965)
An American film director, screenwriter, and producer, known for co-directing the Matrix series with her sister, Lilly Wachowski.
14. Lilly Wachowski (b. 1967)
An American film director, screenwriter, and producer, also known for co-directing the Matrix series with her sister, Lana Wachowski.
15. Laverne Cox (b. 1972)
An American actress and LGBTQ+ advocate, known for her role in the Netflix series "Orange Is the
New Black.
16. Janet Mock (b. 1983)
An American writer, television producer, director, and transgender rights activist, known for her memoir "Redefining Realness" and her work on the FX series "Pose."
17. Caitlyn Jenner (b. 1949)
A former Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete turned television personality, known for her role in "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and her public transition in 2015.
18. Jamie Clayton (b. 1978)
An American actress and model, best known for her role as Nomi Marks in the Netflix series "Sense8."
19. Andreja Pejić (b. 1991)
An Australian model who has worked with major fashion houses and designers, making history as the first openly transgender model to be profiled by Vogue.
20. Jazz Jennings (b. 2000)
An American television personality, LGBTQ+ rights activist, and author, known for her TLC reality show "I Am Jazz," which documents her life as a transgender teenager.
21. Aydian Dowling (b. 1987)
An American transgender activist, model, and entrepreneur, known for his work in transgender advocacy and his appearance as the first transgender man on the cover of Men's Health magazine.
22. Munroe Bergdorf (b. 1987)
A British model and activist who advocates for transgender rights, racial equality, and LGBTQ+ issues.
23. Yance Ford (b. 1972)
An American film director and producer, known for his documentary "Strong Island," which earned him the distinction of being the first openly transgender director nominated for an Academy Award.
24. Hunter Schafer (b. 1999)
An American actress, model, and LGBTQ+ rights activist, known for her role as Jules in the HBO series "Euphoria."
25. Valentina Sampaio (b. 1996)
A Brazilian model and actress, known for being the first openly transgender model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and the first transgender model to work with Victoria's Secret.
