The Christine Jorgensen Story 1970

Childhood teasing and gender expectations

As a seven-year-old, Christine admires a doll in a shop window while boys at school mock her, adding to her confusion about gender norms. She returns home to find Christmas gifts that highlight the split between her sister’s doll and her own building set, which upsets her. Her mother expresses concern, and her father insists she will grow out of the feminine tendencies she displays.

Pursuit of photography and the assault on a work trip

Under her father George's influence, Christine pursues a career in photography. On a work trip to photograph swimsuit models, her male employer Jess Warner assaults her and accuses her of being homosexual. She escapes to a nearby pier and discusses her troubles with a model, realizing she does not know how to label her identity and begins researching sex and gender.

Library discovery and Estabrook's remark

At the library Christine finds a book she hopes will answer her questions about herself. During a medical school lecture she meets Professor Estabrook, who suggests she may be a 'woman trapped in a man's body', a pivotal moment in her journey of self-understanding.

Draft into the army and memories

Christine reveals she was drafted into the army before starting post-secondary education and was honorably discharged. She confides to the professor that her army days were filled with painful memories that she continues to carry.

Decision to pursue gender reassignment in Denmark

Deciding to pursue gender reassignment, Christine travels to Denmark under the pretense of visiting Aunt Thora. The surgery is a success, and Christine chooses to name herself after Aunt Thora's deceased daughter, with Aunt Thora fully supportive of her new path.

The US reaction and family response

News of Christine's life becomes a sensation in the United States, accompanied by ridicule from the press. Her family back home offers support, though her father struggles to accept, while Dolly bluntly tells him that Christine was never a boy to begin with, and the local pastor urges him to open his mind.

Tom Crawford's arrival and budding friendship

An American journalist, Tom Crawford, visits Christine in Denmark and promises to tell her story on her terms. The two quickly become friends, and Aunt Thora notices chemistry between them, encouraging Christine to pursue the relationship.

Christine's reluctance to pursue romance

Christine resists Tom's advances, not from lack of affection but to avoid further social scorn. She dismisses Tom's article and asks him to return to the United States without her.

Tom's confession and the kiss

Tom finally confesses his love for Christine, and they share a kiss, signaling a turning point in their relationship. They prepare to return to the United States, marking a new chapter in Christine's life.

Airport reunion in the United States

Christine returns to the United States to be greeted by her waiting family at the airport. Her father embraces her despite the jeering press, and the family walks together, suggesting a cautious but hopeful moment of acceptance.

Dolly and faith in change

Dolly confronts their father, explaining that Christine was never truly a boy, which underscores the need for the family to adapt their expectations. The pastor's encouragement further pushes George toward reconsidering his stance on Christine's identity.