A number of laws in the past did not allow women to take part in different events that took place in society which is why they decided to live as men.
1. Brandon Teena
Teena Brandon’s uncle sexually abused her after which she shifted to Richardson County where she decided to live like a man. She befriended Marvin Nissen and John Lotter both of whom were ex convicts who beat her up and raped her after her true sex was revealed. After shooting Brandon, Nissen and Lotter were sentenced to life imprisonment and death respectively.
2. Chastity Bono (Aka. Chaz Bono)
Chastity Bono was born to Cher and Sonny Bono on March 4, 1969. At age 39, Bono (an outspoken lesbian) announced her plan to undergo a female/male transition. In May 2010, Bono legally changed his name to Chaz when the courts recognized his sex change. A documentary film came out in 2011 chronicling the life of Chaz Bono and his sex change process. In May 2011, his mother Cher made a public statement supporting her new found son.
3. Petter Hagberg
Brita Nilsdotter decided to dress like a man and become a part of the army after her husband was called to war. The two were reunited soon after. Her true sex was revealed after she was wounded during a battle. Surprisingly, she was given a license to trade as well as a pension along with a medal.
4. Albert Cashier
Jennie Hodgers took on the name of Albert Cashier in 1862 and became a part of an Infantry Regiment. Her sex was not discovered through the war and she continued to live the same way after as well. After her mind started to give way in a retirement home, her true sex was discovered. Two tombstones with both her names were erected after she died in 1915.
5. Dana International
Born Yaron Cohen in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dana International is a famous living transgendered pop singer. She is famous for her representation of Israel at the Eurovision Songs Contest in 2011 where she sung and performed “Ding Dong”. Ever since s/he was little, Cohen had two aspirations: 1) s/he wanted to be a woman and 2) to become a singer. Her dreams came true as she is the most accomplished Israeli singer living. She has done duets with Barbara Streisand and has released 8 albums and 3 compilations.
6. Denis Smith
Dorothy Lawrence decided to go undercover as a male reporter during the first World War. She reached the front lines as Denis Smith but soon after revealed her true sex and was arrested. Dorothy was forced to sign an affidavit which compelled her to keep her story a secret. She died in an asylum in 1964.
7. Jennifer Finney Boylan:
A Professor at Colby College was made famous in her appearance on Oprah and All My Children as an identified transgendered person. Boylan was born James Richard Boylan Jr. Once married with 2 children, Boylan could not hide his identity any longer. In 2000, Boylan announced his plans to his wife and began the transformation process as a result. At age 42, the transformation was complete. Both kids and ex-wife are accepting of Boylan for who she now is.
8. James Barry
Margaret Bulkley became James Barry in order to become a doctor as women at the time were not allowed to practice medicine. Her true sex was revealed during her funeral in 1865.
9. Chevalier d’Eon
Chevalier d’Eon’s father decided to raise her as a son in order to inherit money. She then became a spy and soon after, fought during the Seven Years’ war. A negotiation allowed her to come back to France and live the rest of her life as a woman.
10. Billy Tipton
Dorothy Lucille was an exceptional musician. She started playing in small bars and came to be known as Billy. She adopted three sons with a woman and was said to be a loving father. After her death in 1989, her sex was revealed.
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