Sunday, October 16, 2016

Lili Elbe

Lili Elbe by Gerda Gottleib

Last night I watched the movie, The Danish Girl, the story of Danish painter Einar Wegenar. Einar later known as Lili Elbe underwent one of the first gender reassignment operations in the early 1900s. Gerda Gottleib was Einar's wife and also a painter. The storyline revolves around their struggles as artists and the pioneer transgender sex reassignment of Einar into Lili Elbe.

Poplerne ved Hobro c 1919
by Einar Mogons Wegenar

If you get a chance to see the movie I recommend it. It's a moving glimpse into the sexual identity struggles of a transgender person at a time when society was much less accepting or knowledgeable about the variations and nuances of human sexuality. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

13 comments:

  1. I had no idea that transgender surgery was done so early.
    Sadly, there are still gaps in acceptance.

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  2. Thanks for the info. This looks perfect for long winter evenings!

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    1. Hi Suzi, thanks, not only did I enjoy the storyline but the Danish countryside and architecture and the artist's stories were worth learning about as well.

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    2. Hi Suzi, thanks, not only did I enjoy the storyline but the Danish countryside and architecture and the artist's stories were worth learning about as well.

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  3. Hi Sue, thanks, the movie well illustrated the personal conflicts of someone who is born one gender but has always felt they were another one.

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  4. Hi Sue, thanks, the movie well illustrated the personal conflicts of someone who is born one gender but has always felt they were another one.

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  5. I loved this movie - it was deeply moving, interesting and so very well played. First class actors and a story that hasn't lost its actuality.

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    1. Hi Carola, thanks, I was surprised to see the quality of acting and the intriguing storyline.

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  6. It was such a sad ending to the brave pioneer who paved the way for all those who followed.

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    1. Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, yes a sad ending and yet his wife went on to paint her life after that. There are far more brave folks in the world than we realize, even our next door neighbors could be heroes and little would we know.

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  7. I have to add that to my "must see" list. Sadly, here in NC the struggle for transgender people took a giant leap backwards this year.

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  8. Hi Michele, thanks, the movie is worth watching; seeing how transgender folks struggle in private and public.

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  9. I will get to see this movie and I look forward to doing so.

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