It's Miss Major's Birthday!

Once again, it's my honor and privilege to bow in the direction of the Bay Area and remind you TransGriot readers to wish one of our trailblazing iconic transwomen a happy birthday.

She transitioned in the 1950s, was a Stonewall Vet, a member of the Mattachine Society and now executive director of TJIP, but Miss Major not only continues to be an inspiration to us as one of our icons, she continues to fight for the human rights of all transpeople.  

And from time to time she sends some love the TransGriot's way

Know that I have much love and respect for you Miss Major.  Without you and the other trailblazing transwomen of African descent we would have no community now much less any connection to our proud history.  

You are one of my leadership role models in terms of telling it like it T-I-S is and it's a joy to not only hear you speak and read some interview you done, but be around you and spend quality time in your presence.  

Much love to you Miss Major on this day.  Keep speaking your truth, have a blessed day, and may you have many more.

'The Danish Girl' Stalled

Two years ago I wrote about Nicole Kidman being slated to play pioneering transwoman Lili Elbe in the biopic The Danish Girl. 

Filming was supposed to start last month for the $15 million movie but unfortunately it has hit another production snag as another actress has pulled out of the film.   

The Danish Girl is being produced by Kidman's movie production company Blossom Films and has been plagued by casting and financial problems.    

Kidman originally approached Gwyneth Paltrow to play the role of Lili's wife and fellow artist Gerda Gottlieb, but she was too busy and passed on it.   Charlize Theron took the role, but had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts.   The role then went to Rachel Wiesz,  and now she has pulled out of the production as well.

Kidman is still determined to make this movie happen, but has to go back to the casting drawing board.

Nicole, here's a suggestion.   Maybe you can hire a trans actress like Candis Cayne or Jamie Clayton to play the role of Gerda.  It's worth a shot.

Au Revoir, Coccinelle

Five years ago today pioneering transwoman Jacqueline-Charlotte Dufresnoy, better known by her stage name of Coccinelle, died in Marseilles, France on this date in 2006 after suffering a stroke in May of that year..

She was born 80 years ago in Paris on August 23, 1931 and became in 1958 the first European transwoman to have SRS surgery with pioneering Moroccan gynecologist Dr. Georges Burou.  She was married three times in her life, appeared in movies and cabaret shows, turned down a lucrative offer to perform with Bob Hope, and was a tireless advocate for the human rights of French transwomen.










Au revoir, Coccinelle.   You are missed.