Contest: ENTER Misc. Avatar Contest: November is Trans History Month

[Kai "the spy"]

Well, officially only in California, and that only since last year, but it is something I'm in favor of it being made global, and who says we have to wait until legislators get on board. Anyway, the 20th is also Transgender Day of Remembrance, and that goes beyond just California.

So, the theme is transgender history. Historic transgender people, as well as important moments in transgender history. To help with finding something you like, here are the Wikipedia articles on transgender history and a timeline of transgender history, which I found to be a very interesting read regardless of this contest, so I recommend them beyond just that purpose.

For the rules:

For picture sources, I will allow photos, as well as artistic recreations (as in illustrative art), excluding dramatized media like film and television dramas. Obviously, for people and events further back in history, photo imagery is not an option and art is a necessary resource.

Because the history is so rich (again, just read those articles), I will not limit the entries per user further than the usual three. So, to be clear, it's up to three entries per user.

And, of course, entries may not be larger than 200x200 pixels and/or 1 Mb data, and they need to be safe for work.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

#1

Portrait of Rolandino Roncaglia, who was put on trial for sodomy in Venice, Italy, in 1347. After their wife passed away from the plague, they became a sex worker, and though they possessed male genitalia, many people saw them as a woman based on their female appearance, movements and voice.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Anyone else want to enter?

#2

Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, founder of the Berlin Institute for Sexual Science, as well as the world's first transgender clinic. The institute was burnt down by the Nazis in 1933.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Okay, at this point I have to ask, is there any interest in this contest theme at all?

 

[auntiehill]

I think many of us don't have much, if any, knowledge on the subject.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Okay, at this point I have to ask, is there any interest in this contest theme at all?

I was planning to enter, but this one required research, and I let my procrastinatory tendencies get the better of me. Sorry. I will have some entries posted later this evening.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Okay, I was looking back at previous contests celebrating specific communities, like the one on Native American Heritage Month (which we did a few years ago, as that is also November), and there were a good amount of entries then.
So, the main difference I noticed was that back then, it was specifically about notable individuals of said community, both historic and current. Artists and actors like Wes Studi or Graham Greene were a big part of it. It allowed for more recognition and making it less about "homework" (like those Wikipedia articles were, interesting as they may be).

In an effort to save this theme, I'll expand it from the historical to current representation, so notable transgender individuals like actors, artists, writers, politicians, etc..

Here are some Wikipedia LISTS (not articles) to help you remind you of person(s) you'd like to use for an entry:

Transgender history of the United States

American transgender artists
British transgender artists
Canadian transgender artists

American transgender male actors
American transgender actresses
British transgender actors
Canadian transgender actors

American transgender musicians
British transgender musicians
Canadian transgender musicians

There are obviously more lists on politicians, sportspeople, writers, etc., and I might share links to those, but now I just want to put this post up for speedy clarification.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Gwendolyn Ann Smith co-founded Transgender Day of Remembrance in 1999. It occurs on November 20, and in the 25 years since its founding, it has spread from a web-based observance, to a day of action recognized all over the world.

Lynn Conway was a pioneer in the computing field. She invented generalized dynamic instruction handling in the 60s, and was one of the initiators of the Mead-Conway VLSI chip design revolution in the late 70s, among many other accomplishments. You can read more about her life and impact here.

Canadian actor Elliot Page became the first openly trans man to appear on the cover of Time magazine in March 2021. In addition to his acting work, Page is also known for his advocacy work, and is a recipient of the Human Rights Campaign's Vanguard Award.

Sorry again for the lateness of the entries.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

#3

American actress Laverne Cox, who in 2014 became the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category, specifically Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Orange is the New Black. In 2015, she became the first transgender woman to win a Daytime Emmy Award as an Executive Producer for her MTV special Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. She's also the first transgender person on the cover of Time Magazine, and to have a wax figure at Madame Tussauds.

 

[Michael]

Ooh, now that’s a cool theme for an avatar contest! Quickly threw something together to submit …

And I had to go with the wonderful Wendy Carlos, electronic music pioneer, film score composer and trans icon, seen here in a TV interview from the 80s, showcasing her modular synths.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Guess I made the right decision in adjusting the theme and keeping the contest open, instead of abandoning it and coming up with a different theme. Really makes me happy to see some participation.

Since I'm off to Stuttgart tomorrow and will be busy with the ComicCon there, I'll leave this open until at least my return home early next week. Hoping to see maybe another entry (or more) till then.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Alright, I'm back, so now I'll give a LAST CALL!!! Since I'm currently still using up my vacation days, I'm confident I'll actually put up the contest in the next day or two.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Not an entry, because I've already used up my three, but honourable mention to Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!. Also performs with another group called Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers, as well as releasing a couple solo albums.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Okay, even on my days off, I missed my own deadline. Guess I'm not so much short on time as I'm just a sucker for procrastinating. "Working Tomorrow For A Better Today".

Anyway, the poll is now up. Go vote!

 

[Avro Arrow]

Guess I'm not so much short on time as I'm just a sucker for procrastinating. "Working Tomorrow For A Better Today".

As someone who is also a procrastinator, I feel you. I actually heard a really good quote about procrastination; I'll share it with you tomorrow.

 

[publiusr]

Okay, at this point I have to ask, is there any interest in this contest theme at all?

About all I can do is surf the web—even avatar picture sizes test my feeble brain—else I would have posted this back novel plate:

https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Filthy-World-Caitlin-Kiernan/dp/1596068191

A dark fantasy writer and a paleontologist both.