Carlett Brown Angianlee facts for kids
Carlett Brown Angianlee (born around 1927) was a U.S. Navy veteran in the 1950s. She might have been the first African American person to have surgery to help her live as a woman, if she made it to Europe for the procedure.
Carlett Brown Angianlee was born in Pittsburgh around 1927, and her birth name was Charles Brown. In 1950, she joined the Navy to get treatment for some health issues. While serving, doctors at a Navy hospital in Philadelphia noticed she wanted to live as a woman. They also found that her body had some female characteristics. Instead of having these removed, Carlett decided she wanted to have surgery to help her live as a woman.
Seeking Surgery in Europe
Carlett started writing to doctors in Germany, Denmark, and Yugoslavia to find out about getting this special surgery. One doctor, Christian Hamburger, replied and said she would need to be a citizen of Denmark to have the surgery there. She also wrote to the Minister of Justice in West Germany, Dr. Thomas Dehler, who told her the same thing.
Eventually, Carlett made plans to become a citizen and have the surgery in Bonn, Germany. She began taking special medicines, like hormones, to help with her transition. A big reason she wanted to become a woman was her wish to marry Sgt. Eugene Martin, who was serving in Germany. She said they had been together for two and a half years and planned to marry as soon as she was legally recognized as a woman.
After leaving the Navy, Carlett moved to Boston. She earned money by working as a dancer and by selling her blood and plasma.
Plans and Challenges
Between June 18 and 25, 1953, Carlett legally changed her name to Carlett Brown Angianlee. She gave up her American citizenship and planned to sail to Europe on a ship called the SS Holland on August 2. She had doctor's appointments set up to begin her transition once she arrived.
About a month later, Carlett decided to delay her trip. She wanted to have a facelift surgery in New York City. However, within the next month, the U.S. government told her she could not leave the country. She owed $1,200 in back taxes. To earn more money to pay this off, she took a job as a chief at a college fraternity at Iowa State College. After this, not much more is known about Carlett Brown Angianlee, and it is unclear if she ever made it to Europe for her surgery.
