“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

Transgender men have made a lasting impact on history through art, activism, science, and everyday courage.

Despite facing big challenges, they have pushed boundaries and helped shape the world we live in.

For years, many of their stories were overlooked.

But today, we are honoring these well-known trans men who made a difference.

Their strength, talent, and honesty show that trans people have always been here, and they have always had something powerful to share.

Below is the list of some famous trans men to check out.

1. Albert Cashier (1843–1915)

Albert Cashier, born Jennie Irene Hodgers in Ireland, immigrated to the United States and made history by serving in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Known for bravery and dedication, he continued living as a man after the war, working as a farmhand, janitor, and lamplighter.

Even after his assigned sex was discovered later in life while he was in a veterans’ hospital, his fellow soldiers defended his identity and right to be remembered as a war hero.

His story stands as one of the earliest recorded examples of a trans man living openly in his own way, despite the era’s harsh societal norms.

• Legacy: A symbol of courage, service, and the right to self-identify.

2. Dr. Michael Dillon (1915–1962)

Michael Dillon was a British physician and one of the earliest known individuals to undergo a full female-to-male medical transition, including hormone therapy and phalloplasty.

A Cambridge-educated scholar, Dillon later trained as a ship’s doctor and spent his later years traveling and going through spiritual traditions, eventually becoming a novice Buddhist monk in India.

• Legacy: A trailblazer in trans healthcare and legal recognition.

3. Dr. Alan Hart (1890–1962)

Alan Hart was a pioneering radiologist and public health researcher whose work in tuberculosis detection saved countless lives.

Assigned female at birth, Hart transitioned in 1917 with the support of progressive doctors and underwent one of the first known hysterectomies in the U.S. for gender-affirming purposes.

Hart’s research into using X-rays for early TB detection became a crucial development in fighting the disease.

Throughout his career, he directed multiple health programs and wrote novels under a pen name.

Despite facing discrimination, Hart remained professionally active and personally fulfilled.

• Legacy: A medical innovator and one of the first documented surgical trans men in the U.S.

4. Lou Sullivan (1951–1991)

Lou Sullivan was a groundbreaking writer, activist, and one of the first people to publicly identify as both transgender and gay.

Born in Milwaukee, he moved to San Francisco and began transitioning in the 1970s.

Frustrated by the lack of resources for trans men, especially those who were attracted to men, he became a tireless advocate.

His activism helped reshape medical and social understanding of the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation.

Diagnosed with AIDS in the 1980s, he continued advocating until his death in 1991.

• Legacy: A bold voice for trans and queer visibility; a pioneer in separating gender and sexuality in public discourse.

5. Reed Erickson (1917–1992)

Reed Erickson was a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist who used his considerable resources to champion transgender rights and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Assigned female at birth, Erickson transitioned in the 1960s and legally changed their name and gender marker.

He went on to found the Erickson Educational Foundation (EEF), which provided millions in funding for early transgender medical programs, psychological research, and public education about gender identity.

• Legacy: A visionary benefactor whose generosity built the foundation for modern transgender advocacy and healthcare.

6. Billy Tipton (1914–1989)

Billy Tipton was an accomplished jazz musician, bandleader, and pianist who gained popularity in the mid-20th century.

Born Dorothy Tipton, he began living as a man in the 1930s to pursue a music career, which was more accessible to men at the time.

He lived privately and raised three adopted sons with his wife, who, like many others, did not know about his assigned sex at birth.

His gender identity became public knowledge only after his death in 1989, sparking national headlines.

Though some initially reacted with shock, many have come to see Tipton’s life as a powerful story of living authentically, even under pressure.

• Legacy: A hidden legend of trans history, remembered for his talent and the quiet courage it took to live true to himself.

7. Dr. James Barry (1789–1865)

Dr. James Barry was a revolutionary military surgeon in the British Army who served with distinction for over 40 years.

Born in Ireland and assigned female at birth, Barry lived his entire adult life as a man and built a stellar medical career in a time when women were not allowed to practice medicine.

He rose to the position of Inspector General of Military Hospitals, equivalent to a Surgeon General today.

And is credited with performing one of the first successful cesarean sections in Africa, where both mother and baby survived.

His gender identity was only revealed after his death, but his medical legacy and lifelong commitment to public health remain unquestioned.

• Legacy: A pioneer of both medicine and gender identity, long before trans visibility existed.

8. Charley Parkhurst (1812–1879)

Known as “One-Eyed Charley,” Charley Parkhurst was one of the most legendary stagecoach drivers of the Old West.

He became famous for expertly going through stagecoaches across treacherous mountain passes, escaping bandits, and earning respect as one of the toughest and most skilled drivers in the business.

Only after his death was it found out that he was assigned female at birth.

Notably, Charley is believed to be one of the first people assigned female at birth to vote in a U.S. election, doing so in California in 1868, over 50 years before women gained the right nationally.

• Legacy: A symbol of grit, independence, and quiet defiance in the American frontier.

9. Willmer “Little Ax” Broadnax (1916–1992)

Willmer Broadnax was a gifted gospel singer who left an amazing mark on American spiritual music.

Performing with prominent quartets like the Southern Gospel Singers and the Golden Echoes, he was celebrated for his soaring tenor voice and stage presence.

Broadnax toured extensively during the golden era of gospel music, bringing inspiration to countless fans.

His identity as a trans man was not publicly known until after his death in 1992, yet his legacy as a trailblazer in both music and identity remains powerful.

• Legacy: A hidden pioneer in gospel music, whose talent transcended boundaries.

10. Harry Allen (1882–1922)

Harry Allen, also known in newspapers as “The Man-Woman,” was a well-known figure in the Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century.

Assigned female at birth and born as Nell Pickerell, Allen began living as a man in his teens. His life was frequently sensationalized in the press due to his run-ins with the law, relationships with women, and gender nonconformity.

Despite being the target of ridicule and moral panic, Allen insisted on living as his true self during a time when being trans was not only misunderstood but also criminalized.

• Legacy: A gritty, real-life reminder of the struggles and defiance of early 20th-century trans individuals.

11. Amelio Robles Ávila (1889–1984)

Amelio Robles Ávila was a Mexican revolutionary who lived openly as a man for more than 70 years.

He joined the Mexican Revolution in 1912 and rose through the ranks of the Zapatista forces to become a respected colonel.

He received military honors and government support throughout his life, defying expectations for both his gender and his era.

Robles lived his truth with pride and was known to be fiercely protective of his identity.

• Legacy: One of the earliest known Latin American trans men officially recognized by the state.

12. Chris Mosier (1980–present)

Chris Mosier is a progressive American athlete and activist who has broken barriers in sports and beyond.

He became the first openly transgender athlete to make a U.S. men’s national team in the duathlon, competing at the 2016 World Championship.

Mosier is also the first trans athlete to appear in a Nike commercial and to qualify for the Olympic trials in his affirmed gender.

As the founder of TransAthlete.com, he works to promote inclusion and awareness for transgender people in sports at all levels.

• Legacy: A modern champion for trans visibility, fairness, and equity in athletics.

13. Jamison Green (1948–present)

Jamison Green is a leading figure in transgender advocacy, education, and healthcare reform.

An American author and educator, Green has dedicated decades to advancing transgender rights, especially in medical and legal contexts.

Green also played a crucial role in shaping healthcare standards through his leadership.

As president of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), he contributed to the development of internationally recognized Standards of Care.

• Legacy: A pioneer in bridging the personal and the political to improve care and visibility for trans people globally.

14. Kylar Broadus (1963–present)

Kylar Broadus is a groundbreaking American attorney, professor, and civil rights activist known for his progressive work on behalf of transgender and nonbinary people, particularly trans people of color.

In 2012, he made history as the first openly transgender person to testify before the U.S. Senate, speaking in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

He is the founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), the only national organization focused specifically on the needs of trans people of color.

• Legacy: A trailblazer in law and policy, committed to uplifting trans communities of color and creating systemic change.

15. Elliot Page (1987–present)

Elliot Page is a Canadian actor, producer, and outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate who came out as transgender in December 2020.

Already known for standout performances in films like Juno, Hard Candy, Inception, and as Viktor Hargreeves in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, Page’s public coming out marked a watershed moment for transgender visibility in mainstream media.

Since then, he has used his global platform to advocate for trans rights, body autonomy, and access to gender-affirming healthcare, especially for youth.

• Legacy: A modern example of trans visibility in entertainment and a powerful advocate for affirming care and representation.

Final Thoughts

These inspiring trans men show that transgender people have always played important roles in shaping the world.

Each one made their own path and helped make things better for others.

Their lives continue to inspire and prove that great things happen when people can be themselves.

Did one of these stories stand out to you?

Let us know in the comments!