1885

[LeaP]

As this is my 1,885th post, I thought I'd commemorate it. Why 1,885, you might ask? You might think 2,000 would be more of a milestone (as well as prima facie evidence of spending too much time here, but I digress). Or maybe milestone posts even irk you. Personally, I like them. I promise, however, not to write another one for post 2,000.

But the commemoration is not for me. Harry Benjamin was born in 1885. While some of his ideas are getting dated, we owe a tremendous debt to him. At the point he started treating transsexuals, they were still being jailed, locked up in institutions, and even lobotomized ... practices that persisted into my lifetime. While he had important predecessors, just about everything regarded today as accepted and proper treatment of transsexuality traces to his work. His research and published work is also foundational.

So here's to the memory of a good and compassionate man, far ahead of his time, and with vision and courage unimpeded by convention. Rest in peace.

[KellyJameson]

Even though I struggle with some of his conclusions he undoubtedly humanized the treatment of transsexuals.

Kudos Lea for thinking to honor him. Just one more example of your gracious elegance manifesting itself.

Did I make you squirm in your seat and your cheeks warm ? Hope so :)

[mikiSJ]

Lea

Thanks for refreshing the memory. I recall reading about Benjamin before, but I will re-read now.

Maybe Benjamin didn't get it all right - he started the path into the forest

Freud and Jung didn't get it right - but they started the path into the forest

Without pathfinders, in any field, we'd be stuck in with workhouses, insane asylums electro-shock simply because no one wanted to venture into the forest.

[ColleenA]

Wow, I just learned from Wikipedia that Harry Benjamin lived to 101. And it's great to see his work and his influence are still going strong.


When my BFF had a first meeting with a psychiatrist about her dysphoria, he rejected her identification as TS. Why? Because she didn't cross dress. She was furious and wanted nothing more to do with such "professionals."

Fortunately, about a year later, she was able to arrange a session with Dr. Connie Christine Wheeler, who had worked with Harry Benjamin and who not only helped revise the Standards of Care but in 2005 was still on the board of the Harry Benjamin Association (now WPATH).

During their first session, Dr. Wheeler confirmed my friend's self-diagnosis and offered not only to provide one letter but to help her obtain the second letter she would require. In a very direct way, my BFF considers that she owes her life to Dr. Wheeler and her mentor, Dr. Benjamin.

[Barbara Ella]

Lea,

Thanks for going beyond the surface and finding such a wonderful way to commemorate your postings here. Food for thought and pause.

Barbara

[Kathryn Martin]

Lea, maybe not so much dated but transformed by those that followed him.

[AllieSF]

Thanks for the history lesson and thanks for the unique way to celebrate your milestone as well as that history. I am hoping that you find a similar way to commemorate your next big milestone in 115 posts. You have some time to figure out what to say, and I will be looking forward to reading it.

[melissaK]

LeaP, Sweetie, I think you should rename yourself LeaPhD. :)

[ReineD]

I like that his definitions were not binary black/white, CD/TS and that he allowed for a gradient of gender dysphoria.

Here's a rather nice summary of Benjamin's evolving research:

http://sex.sagepub.com/content/8/3/306.full.pdf

[docrobbysherry]

Nice educational post, Lea. And, it is my fondest hope that u will take Allie's advice. I'd much prefer u celebrate at 115 posts and NOT 116!

I've already read the book and seen the movie dozens of times!