The Complete Dictionary of Sexology Christine Jorgensen 1926-05-30T00:00:00 1989-05-03T00:00:00 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Jorgensen https://lgbtqia.fandom.com/wiki/Christine_Jorgensen https://viaf.org/52924112 https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q254323 An American transgender woman who was the first person to become widely known in the United States for having gender-affirming surgery. Jorgensen grew up in the Bronx, New York City. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1945, she was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. After her military service, she attended several schools and worked; it is during this time she learned about gender-affirming surgery. Jorgensen traveled to Europe, and in Copenhagen, Denmark, obtained special permission to undergo a series of operations beginning in 1952. Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History in America