Michael Dillon is one of the key figures in 20th century trans history.
Whilst other trans men had undergone surgeries before him, Dillon was one of the first people to use testosterone, and probably the very first to receive a penis through plastic surgery.
However, Dillon’s importance goes far beyond his medical transition. He also wrote a treatise on the medical treatment of trans people that was decades ahead of its time. Later on he became the first Western European to be ordained as a Buddhist monk.
Many of the key incidents in Dillon’s life happened while he was living in Bristol. It was not a happy time for him as World War II was raging, and gender transition is never easy.
In this talk Cheryl Morgan will look at Dillon’s life, and in particular bring to light some of the latest research on his time in Bristol.
Speaker: Cheryl Morgan, co-chair of Outstories Bristol.
Wednesday 10th February 2021 3pm to 4pm
How to take part
This online talk will be held over Zoom. The event is free but you need to register in advance.
Please book your place through the Bristol Museums website https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/lgbtq-history-month-michael-dillon-trans-pioneer/.
Details of how to join the session will be in your registration email.
Michael Dillon is one of the five Icons for this year’s LGBT+ History Month.
Thanks to Bristol’s M Shed museum for facilitating this event and to M Shed’s Equality and Diversity programme sponsor: UWE Bristol.
