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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Michael Dillon: A Trans Pioneer
- Michael Dillon, a trans pioneer, was assigned female at birth but lived as a man.
- He was possibly the first person to undergo female-to-male gender confirmation surgery.
Early Recognition of Transgender Identities
- The medical establishment only began to recognize transgender identities in the early 20th century.
- Plastic surgery offered a radical new approach to gender confirmation.
Laura's Early Life
- Laura Maud Dillon, born in 1915, was from a family with the title of baronet, the lowest hereditary titled order in Ireland.
- Though not wealthy, their estate was eventually burned down during the Irish War of Independence.
