Born: 1882 (Vejle, Denmark)
Died: 1931
Biography:
Lili Ilse Elvenes, known as Lili Elbe, was a Danish painter, trans woman, and one of the early recipients of gender-affirming surgery. Born on December 28, 1882, in Vejle, Denmark, Lili was the child of Ane Marie Thomsen and spice merchant Mogens Wilhelm Wegener. She was a talented painter under her birth name, Einar Wegener. However, it was her journey of self-discovery and determination to live her true identity that made her an influential figure in LGBTQ+ history.
Elbe’s life changed when she met Gerda Gottlieb while they were students at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. They married in 1904, with Gerda being just nineteen and Elbe twenty-two at the time. Gerda came from a conservative family, as her father was a vicar in the Lutheran church. The couple worked as illustrators, with Elbe specializing in landscape paintings, and Gerda illustrating books and fashion magazines. They traveled extensively throughout Italy and France, settling in Paris in 1912, where Elbe could live more openly as a woman by posing as Gerda’s sister-in-law.
Elbe’s talent as a painter was recognized and appreciated during her lifetime. She received the Neuhausens prize in 1907 and exhibited her works at prestigious art exhibitions such as the Kunstnernes Efterårsudstilling at the Vejle Art Museum in Denmark and the Salon and Salon d’Automne in Paris. Her art captured the beauty of nature and showcased her unique perspective as a trans woman.
It was during her time as Gerda’s model and muse that Elbe began experimenting with dressing in women’s clothing. This experience allowed her to discover her true self and embrace the name Lili, as suggested by the actress Anna Larssen. By the 1920s, Elbe regularly presented herself as Lili at various events and entertained guests in her house. Despite societal challenges and prejudices, Elbe’s courage to live authentically inspired many others who struggled with their own identities.
In 1930, Elbe made history by undergoing one of the first documented gender-affirming surgeries. She changed her legal name to Lili Ilse Elvenes and adopted the surname Elbe. This groundbreaking procedure was a milestone not only for Elbe’s personal journey but also for the advancement of transgender rights and acceptance. Tragically, Elbe’s pursuit of happiness was cut short due to complications arising from a uterus transplant she had received in an attempt to achieve pregnancy. She passed away on September 13, 1931.
Elbe’s story reached a wider audience through the posthumous publication of her semi-autobiographical narrative titled Man into Woman: An Authentic Record of a Change of Sex in 1933. This book provided invaluable insight into her journey and served as a source of inspiration for many individuals struggling with their own gender identities in the years to come. Despite the challenges she faced, Lili Elbe’s legacy lives on, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and the pursuit of happiness.
Awards:
– Neuhausens prize (1907)