Stuff You Should Know Michael Dillon: Trans Pioneer
Apr 30, 2019
Dive into the extraordinary life of Michael Dillon, a pioneering figure in transgender history. Discover his journey as one of the first to undergo female-to-male gender confirmation surgery and navigate the challenges he faced at Oxford. The podcast highlights his influential role in transgender healthcare alongside Laura Dillon, shedding light on the societal stigma of their time. Explore Dillon's spiritual quest in Buddhism and the need for acceptance, emphasizing the importance of recognition for trans pioneers. Plus, an adventurous listener shares his solo rowing journey across the Pacific!
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Oxford and Early Transition
- Attending Oxford, Laura began presenting as male but graduated under her female name.
- A tabloid published a photo of her with the headline "Man or Woman?"
The Well of Loneliness and Self-Discovery
- The novel "The Well of Loneliness", while perpetuating stereotypes, helped Laura realize she wasn't a lesbian.
- Her primary drive was to physically transition to be accepted as a man.
Beginning Hormone Therapy
- Laura, presenting as male, began hormone treatment with testosterone under Dr. George Voss in the 1930s.
- This was possibly the first recorded instance of hormone therapy for gender confirmation.
