Think trans people are too mean about misgendering these days? From 1913 on, Zapatista colonel Amelio Robles Ávila (1889-1984) threatened to shoot anyone that called him a woman with his pistol. He lived openly as a man for 71 years and was supported by his family, peers, and government.
According to historian Gabriela Cano Ortega, Robles adopted a male identity not as a survival strategy but because of a strong desire to be a man.[9][18] Robles's male identity was accepted by family, society, and the Mexican government, and Robles lived as a man from the age of 24 until his death.[9] According to a former neighbor, if anyone called Robles a woman or Doña (an honorific for women, similar to English Mrs.), he would threaten them with a pistol.[12] Robles has therefore been described by historians as transgender.[11][18][19] Robles is documented using both the masculine and feminine versions of his name and pronouns. Robles is both commemorated as a male hero of the Mexican revolution and iconized as a female warrior.[20]
Robles met Ángela Torres in Apipilulco in the 1930s, and they later married.[7][9] They adopted a daughter together, Regula Robles Torres.[14] Horacio Legrás says that both later became estranged from Robles.[3] On his deathbed Robles supposedly made two requests, to receive honors for his military service and to be dressed as a woman in order to commend his soul to God.[7][15]
Neither request was ever confirmed to be true,[15] and Robles had already received several military honors. Furthermore, Robles's death certificate notes that he lost the ability to speak more than a year before dying.[16]
apple_kicks on March 18th, 2025 at 11:39 UTC »
This is a photo from 1915 that has been colourised by Eli Erlick https://elierlick.com/color/
More information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelio_Robles_%C3%81vila
Arigmar on March 18th, 2025 at 13:38 UTC »
Trans stuff aside - imagine how crazy it is to live in 1980-s after growing up in the wild west.
president__not_sure on March 18th, 2025 at 15:35 UTC »
imagine witnessing the advancement of technology during that period. must have been mind-blowing.