Gender Bender Trivia Quiz

Answer: Christine Jorgensen

Christine Jorgensen (1926-1989) was born George William Jorgensen Jr. George grew up in a tough neighborhood in the Bronx, NY and was drafted into the army. In the early 1950s, unhappy with who he was, he was on his way to Sweden when he met Dr. Christian Hamburger in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The doctor was an endocrinologist and a specialist in rehabilitative hormonal therapy. It was in 1952 that Ms. Jorgensen took the name Christine (after her doctor). On December 1, 1952 the "New York Daily News" carried a front page story under the headline "Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Bombshell" and shook up society's notions of gender.

Answer: Felicity Huffman

While Felicity Huffman was playing the role of Lynette Scavo on "Desperate Housewives" she also starred in "Transamerica" where her character, Bree, had been approved for sexual reassignment surgery. Before the transition can be completed, she finds that she has to deal with an unresolved problem from her past, i.e., Toby Wilkins, a troubled teen who is looking for Stanley, his biological father. Toby is in a New York jail when Bree comes to see him masquerading as a social worker and...well, you can see for yourself!

Answer: Thomas Beatie

Born Tracy LaGondino in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1974, Thomas Trace Beatie had gender reassignment surgery in 2002 and became pregnant through artificial insemination in 2007. As a teenager, Tracy was a female model and a Miss Teen Hawaii USA pageant finalist. On February 5, 2003 Beatie married Nancy Gillespie, a legally valid opposite sex marriage, where he was listed as 'male' and, as a man, gave birth to all three of his children from 2008 to 2010.

Answer: Laverne Cox

While the incorrect choices are all part of the cast of "Orange Is the New Black", it is Laverne Cox who plays a husband and father who has transitioned into a woman, Sophia Burset; a role for which she became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category.

She has also appeared on the cover of "Time Magazine". As an aside, Cox has a twin brother, M. Lamar, who portrays the role of Marcus (the pre-transitioned Sophia) on the TV show.

Answer: Sonny and Cher

Chaz Salvatore Bono was born Chastity Sun Bono in March 1969, the only child of Sonny and Cher Bono. In April 1995, Chastity 'came out' as a lesbian in an interview with the magazine "The Advocate". Surprisingly, Cher, a gay icon, "went ballistic" before coming to terms with it.

In 2008, Bono underwent gender transition from female to male, and in 2010 the California court granted his request for a gender and name change. Chaz went on to make a documentary film in 2011, "Becoming Chaz", which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. That same year, he also appeared as a competitor on the reality TV show "Dancing with the Stars".

Answer: Renee Richards

Renee Richards was born "a nice Jewish boy", Richard Raskind, in 1934. He excelled in many sports, e.g., football, baseball and swimming, but decided to concentrate on tennis. He considered sexual reassignment surgery and even had an alter ego named Renee (French for reborn) but instead married his wife Barbara and they had a son.

In the early 1970s, he again opted for reassignment and successfully transitioned in 1975. In 1976, the USTA refused to allow Richards to play in the US Open. She sued, alleging discrimination, but it was not until 1977 that the court ruled in her favor, and she played in the US Open (but lost to Virginia Wade).

Answer: Harris Glenn Milstead

Harris Glenn Milstead (1945-1988) was born in Maryland to a conservative middle-class family. While working as a hairdresser he developed an interest in drag and, in the mid-1960s, he met and befriended independent film producer John Waters. He performed in drag in Waters' early full-length movies and, in 1972, he starred in the cult classic "Pink Flamingos" which made him a cult figure.

He later appeared in "Polyester" (1981) and "Hairspray" (1988) which was his breakthrough into mainstream cinema.

While he was gay, he was not transexual or transgender and only appeared in drag "when someone pays me to".

Answer: RuPaul

RuPaul Andre Charles is an actor, author, model, drag queen and recording artist. He's had a talk show on VH1, hosts the reality TV show "RuPaul's Drag Race" and is also known for the hit song "Supermodel (You Better Work)". Unlike many drag queens, he doesn't care which pronoun ('he' or 'she') is used to address him.

In his autobiography "Lettin It All Hang Out" (1996) he says: "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis and Kathy Lee; I don't care! Just as long as you call me."

Answer: Barry Humphries

Although the choices are all 'world-famous' comedians, it is Barry Humphries who has played Dame Edna Everage with her purple hair, gladiolus and cat eyeglasses, since 1955. He was born in Australia in 1934, as John Barry Humphries. After more than 60 years, he announced that he was tired of touring and "Eat, Pray, Laugh!" (2012) would be his final farewell tour.

As Dame Edna she addressed her audience "Hello, Possums!" until she officially "retired" in March of 2012; the following March she appeared on "Red Nose Day 2013", returned in a Sydney Opera House production of "Peter and the Wolf", and appeared on "Celebrity Squares" as Dame Edna in 2014.

Answer: Bruce Jenner

While all of the choices are American gold medal decathletes, traditionally called "World's Greatest Athletes", only Kris Kardashian Jenner's husband has been quietly transitioning into a woman, according to "People Magazine". Following his Olympic victory, Bruce appeared on TV and in movies, i.e., "Can't Stop the Music" (1980).

In 1991 he married Kris Jenner and has been "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" since 2007, as stepfather to Kourtney, Kim Khloe and Rob; he is also the father of Burt, Brandon, Brody, Casey, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. May his transition be as smooth as possible and may it usher in a new era of acceptance!