Fact check: What medical treatment did trans people receive in the 1950s

1. Summary of the results

The medical treatment received by trans people in the 1950s was limited and often involved hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery ^[1]. Christine Jorgensen's case in 1952 is a notable example, where she underwent sex reassignment surgery in Denmark ^[1]. Many trans people had to travel abroad to access medical care, highlighting the restricted nature of transgender healthcare during this period ^[1]. The work of Harry Benjamin, a German-American physician, played a significant role in the development of transgender medicine, with his book 'The Transsexual Phenomenon' published in 1966 ^[2]. Benjamin's approach was cautious, advocating for compassionate treatment and practical aid for trans people ^[2]. The development of trans social medicine in Norway from the late 1970s to the early 1980s also established a new diagnostic and therapeutic regime for trans people ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key aspect missing from the original statement is the historical context of transgender healthcare before the 1950s, including the work of Magnus Hirschfeld and the establishment of the first gender clinics ^[4]. Additionally, the evolution of diagnoses associated with transgender people, from ancient Greek and Roman writings to current classifications, provides crucial background information ^[5]. The celebration of the history of trans healthcare highlights key milestones, such as Michael Dillon's access to gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgeries in the 1940s ^[6]. The limited access to medical care for trans people in the 1950s and the need for many to travel abroad for treatment is also an important context ^[1]. Alternative viewpoints include the role of Berthold Grünfeld and the Oslo Health Council in establishing a new diagnostic and therapeutic regime for trans people in Norway ^[3], and the distinction between transvestite, transsexual, and transgender diagnoses ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading in implying that medical treatment for trans people in the 1950s was widely available, when in fact, it was limited and often required travel abroad ^[1]. The statement also lacks context on the historical development of transgender healthcare, which could lead to an incomplete understanding of the topic ^{[4] [5]}. The emphasis on hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery may also oversimplify the complexities of transgender healthcare during this period ^[1]. The beneficiaries of this framing could be those who seek to downplay the historical struggles of trans people in accessing medical care, or those who wish to oversimplify the complexities of transgender healthcare ^{[1] [4] [5]}.