Trailblazing transgender psychiatrist Jeanne Hoff has died
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Jeanne Hoff, a pioneering transgender psychiatrist, passed away at her home in San Francisco in October at the age of 85. Born into a working-class family in St. Louis in 1938, Hoff overcame numerous challenges to become a trailblazer in the field of transgender healthcare.
Hoff’s educational journey began with a master’s in science from Yale and a medical degree from Columbia University. She went on to pursue a doctorate in solid-state chemistry at University College in London before finding her true calling in psychiatry. Hoff completed her training and residency at the esteemed Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
According to Gay City News, Hoff started her own gender transition in 1976. It was during this time that she took over the New York practice of Dr. Harry Benjamin, a renowned endocrinologist and sexologist known for coining the term “transvestite” in 1910. Benjamin later began using the term “transsexual” to refer to his patients.
Hoff’s significance in the field lies in her role as the first openly transgender psychiatrist to treat transgender patients. Notably, she provided care to punk rock singer Jayne County. She also became a member of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, which eventually evolved into the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
In 1978, Hoff gained further recognition when she became the subject of an NBC documentary titled “Becoming Jeanne: A Search for Sexual Identity.” The film chronicled her own gender confirmation surgery and shed light on the experiences of transgender individuals at the time.
Andy Humm, who had a personal connection with Hoff, wrote a heartfelt remembrance of her in Gay City News. He described her as a serious person with a great sense of humor and warmth. Humm emphasized Hoff’s belief that a person’s gender does not determine their sexuality. She challenged other psychiatrists who insisted that transgender women must form relationships with men and not be “gay.”
Hoff’s stance was that erotic attraction is independent of gender identity, recognizing that there are trans women who are lesbians. Her views were ahead of their time and continue to resonate in the LGBTQ+ community.
Humm also highlighted Hoff’s involvement in the Catholic LGBTQ+ group Dignity/New York. Despite the Church’s historical homophobia, Hoff found warmth, companionship, and support within the group. Reverend Bernárd Lynch, another member of Dignity/New York, praised her courage and integrity, noting that she inspired others by being true to herself.
In her 2018 book, “Histories of the Transgender Child,” historian Jules Gill-Peterson lauded Hoff’s commitment to her clients’ well-being. Gill-Peterson emphasized that Hoff displayed a level of empathy that was often absent in transsexual medicine. She viewed her work as an ethic of care, recognizing the importance of a trans person taking an active role in medicine rather than being its object.
One poignant moment in the documentary “Becoming Jeanne” captured Hoff’s perspective on acceptance. When asked how she wanted people to accept her, she responded with a simple principle: mind your own business. Hoff believed that unless one’s actions directly harm others, it is essential to respect their autonomy and freedom. She urged people to approach others with openness and confidence until proven otherwise.
Jeanne Hoff’s legacy as a trailblazing transgender psychiatrist will continue to inspire future generations. Her dedication to providing compassionate care and challenging societal norms has left an indelible mark on the field of transgender healthcare. As society continues to evolve, her message of acceptance and understanding remains as relevant as ever.
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