Michael Dillon, born in 1915, was the first recorded trans man to undergo gender-affirming surgery. He was a doctor, poet, and spiritual seeker who transitioned in response to his deep awareness of his identity from a young age. Despite facing challenges, such as being outed by psychiatry and mistreated in various jobs, Dillon persisted. Eventually, he embraced a new life as a Buddhist monk in India. His journey reflects the complexities of gender identity and the search for personal freedom in an era that lacked understanding of trans experiences.
Dillon was aware of his trans identity from a young age. In his memoir, he recalled walking with the '18-year-old nephew of the vicar' in Oxford when he was suddenly struck by the thought that the other young man thought him a woman. He wrote: 'It was a horrible moment and I felt stunned. I had never thought of myself as such, despite being technically a girl.'
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