This chapter really covers the hundred years of history as I mentioned on my previous blog. I was excited reading this part because I've been waiting for this kind of information to be exploited to the public. As I read through and flipped the next page, she stated laws that were passed for those who "cross dress" who would be found guilty of misdemeanor, funny thing is that it was a "HE" that was stated, so "HE" should be guilty of misdemeanor, and on conviction, shall pay a fine of five hundred dollars. Apparently, only guys are mentioned and it is so stupid. And so this was in 1863 and this means that it must have been a big fee like 5,000 dollars for this current year, which I may be wrong and only guessing.
Columbus,Ohio was the second to abolish the law right after San Francisco, California. There was a list and it seemed like all those cities across the US that passed the law were prejudice, ignorant and ridiculously stupid. Although those places on the list like: Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, etc, were probably still facing the struggle of accepting even though the law was probably removed. I think! Anyways, I thought the list ended in the 18th century but what the hell, it didn't. The last law was passed in 1974 from Ohio again, such a malicious state. I see it almost resembles Lake Oswego, no offense to those who live there but to those who act prejudice.
Adding on to prejudice was science that became powerful than religion as so the book says and the outcome was that scientists could actually have all the answers to what should be right and good. This part of the chapter is really annoying, most especially when the nazis are also included. Adolf Hitler shouldn't be born into this world seriously. I am amazed how everything is connecting back to Transgender.
Susan Stryker also mentioned about a scientist or psychiatrist named Magnus Hirschfield, he studied sex in Europe. She cited his work about one person who called himself Jane, Johanna, and John. It was short and somehow tangible. I would love to read about Magnus work even though the Nazis almost burned every document he recorded. All that hard work and dedication could've made an enormous difference in the world.
The best part of the chapter was the first famous drag queen Christine Jorgenson, who completed the transformation of a man into a woman. It is crazy how I watched her movie in netflix last year and instantly stated to my family that she was the first person to complete her transition and my family was a bit impressed. Then, it crashes down after reading about the government harrassment. My feelings are everywhere and I never felt this way in reading. I was excited, angry, happy, and now sad. All these amazing history is just entertaining for me to read and I am just devouring every word. I hope in the end that it'll be a happy ending.
No comments:
Post a Comment