Introduction

Transgender and transsexualism have fascinated people since antiquity.  This study explores the history from ancient to modern day gender reassignment surgery (GRS).

Methods

A search for sources was undertaken using internet and library sources.

Results

In Indian mythology, deities are represented as both male and female at different times or of both genders at once, such as ‘Ardhanarishvara (‘Lord whose half is woman’) created by the merging of the God Shiva and his consort Parvati.  In African mythology, the God Mawu -Lisa, formed by a merger of the twin brother and sister Gods Lisa (the moon) and Mawa (the sun).  The patron God of transgender is Dionysus, a God gestated in the thigh of his father Zeus.  The birth of modern GRS was in Berlin.  Rudolph became Dora by GRS performed by Dr Felix Abraham (1931).  Lili Elbe had several procedures including a uterine transplant, the rejection of which caused her death and is the theme of a recent Hollywood movie. In Britain, Sir Harold Gilles was the pioneer of GRS. He performed female to male GRS on Roberta Cowell (1951), which became the standard technique.  Christine Jørgensen was a famous recipient of GRS (1952).  She was a night-club singer and actress and fought for the rights of GRS persons.

Conclusion

Norman Fisk introduced the term gender dysphoria syndrome (1973) to cover applicants seeking GRS.  This surgery is complex and has evolved to change the physical characteristics based on a person’s mental belief of his or her gender.