The Night Birds of Paris

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. 
Marcus Garvey 

Transsexual history has remained largely unwritten, those who survived the early days since the late fifties naturally went stealth, they did not become activists, they did not march in the street. Transsexuals were at the forefront of gay liberation of the late sixties but they too have been ignored. All their history and contributions forgotten or co opted into a larger LGBt narrative.

Nothing wrong with going stealth, I hope to do the same, to some degree.

As transsexuals we are outsiders and often exiles from our families, society and culture. An understanding of our history can provide a foundation to be build a new identity. I am not advocating separatism from the larger culture but to take strength from those who faced even greater challenges than we can imagine. 

Being transsexual is a curse but we should still take pride in the early achievements of our "sisters" and our own journey.

I wrote about Christer Strömholm's beautiful photographic record of the transsexual prostitutes of the Pigalle back in May. Here is a link to my published review in Frock: 

http://frockmagazine.com/frock018/#/30/

Sorry if you were expecting the History Channel....but who knows, one day.

A friend and great artist called it gorgeous and fierce, I hope you think the same.

Hugs,

April