Transgender activism
Encyclopedia
In 1952 Virginia Prince, a male-to-female transvestite (an outdated term for crossdresser, primarily used as a clinical diagnosis), along with other transgendered cross dressing people launched Transvestia: The Journal of the American society for Equality in Dress. This publication was the beginning of the transgender rights movement in the United States
. In 1969, transgendered and transsexual people played an integral part in the Stonewall Riots
, including Sylvia Rae Rivera a transsexual who was an instigator in the uprising. Rivera continued to be an advocate for transgender rights until her death in 2002. After Stonewall, awareness of transexuality grew considerably. Support groups for male cross-dressers were common in the 1970s and 80s. In the 1980s female to male (FTM) transsexuality became common. Transsexual people have been victims of hate crimes. On December 31, 1993, a female to male transsexual Brandon Teena
was murdered in Nebraska
along with two of his friends. This murder was documented in the 2000 movie Boys Don't Cry
starring Hilary Swank
as Brandon Teena. In 2005, the movie Transamerica
told the story of a male to female transsexual preparing for sexual reassignment surgery and traveling across the United States with her bisexual son. The transgender day of remembrance to commemorate those who lost their lives due to their gender identity was first held in 1999 following the murder of Rita Hester in 1998. The "Remembering our Dead" web project was also set up in 1999.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1969, transgendered and transsexual people played an integral part in the Stonewall Riots
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City...
, including Sylvia Rae Rivera a transsexual who was an instigator in the uprising. Rivera continued to be an advocate for transgender rights until her death in 2002. After Stonewall, awareness of transexuality grew considerably. Support groups for male cross-dressers were common in the 1970s and 80s. In the 1980s female to male (FTM) transsexuality became common. Transsexual people have been victims of hate crimes. On December 31, 1993, a female to male transsexual Brandon Teena
Brandon Teena
Brandon Teena was an American trans man who was raped and murdered in Humboldt, Nebraska. His life and death were the subject of the Academy Award-winning 1999 film Boys Don't Cry, which was based on the documentary film The Brandon Teena Story.-Life:Teena was born Teena Renae Brandon in Lincoln,...
was murdered in Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
along with two of his friends. This murder was documented in the 2000 movie Boys Don't Cry
Boys Don't Cry (film)
Boys Don't Cry is a 1999 American independent romantic drama film directed by Kimberly Peirce and co-written by Andy Bienen. The film is a dramatization of the real-life story of Brandon Teena, a transgender man played by Hilary Swank, who pursues a relationship with a young woman, played by Chloë...
starring Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank
Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid , as Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi...
as Brandon Teena. In 2005, the movie Transamerica
Transamerica (film)
Transamerica is a 2005 independent comedy-drama film produced by IFC Films and The Weinstein Company. The film tells the story of Bree, a transsexual woman , who goes on a road trip with her long-lost son Toby ....
told the story of a male to female transsexual preparing for sexual reassignment surgery and traveling across the United States with her bisexual son. The transgender day of remembrance to commemorate those who lost their lives due to their gender identity was first held in 1999 following the murder of Rita Hester in 1998. The "Remembering our Dead" web project was also set up in 1999.