1898: Transsesso = Transgender/Transsexual, Currently

The term “transsesso” is the modern-day Italian term for transgender and transsexual. Here’s this term being used in a 1898 Latin language book. I’m noting this 1800s usage to make the point that sticking “trans” in front of “sex” and/or “gender” isn’t an improbable feat that can be traced to any one single person.

At this point, I think it’s very doubtful that Magnus Hirschfeld (much less Cauldwell or Benjamin) had never before heard the word “transsexual” – whether that was an 1800s Latin term or a 1907 English language medical term – and invented this word whole-cloth. Instead, I think it’s most probable that these folks instead repurposed existing linguistic ideas/term(s) to suit their needs.

1898, cover-page

"Transsesso" - Analecta Hymnica, 1898