On December 1, 1952 Americans were introduced to 26-year-old Christine Jorgensen, one of the first people to successfully undergo gender affirmation surgery. Instantaneously, the shy, private person previously known as George became an international media sensation, fascinating many and challenging others. At a time when public cross-dressing and other gender nonconforming behaviors were illegal, Jorgensen’s transformation offered transgender people the possibility of living as their authentic selves.