Reed Erickson (1917-1992), February 2023

Reed Erickson is one of the best known transgender men of the modern world. He started transitioning in 1963 as a patient of Dr. Harry Benjamin, a noted endocrinologist and sexologist who was an early specialist in working with transgender people from the late 1940s. Erickson inherited substantial private wealth upon the death of his father in 1962, taking over the running of two large industrial companies. In 1964, Erickson launched the Erickson Educational Foundation (EEF) with one of the main beneficiaries being the ONE Archives founded in 1952 in Los Angeles, now the largest repository of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) materials in the world.

His main focus was on transgender research and improving access to trans healthcare and education, funding the opening of gender clinics (Johns Hopkins, Maryland), educational conferences about transgender issues, and vast amounts of local networks and positive press in the form of newsletters, books, and media appearances. The present wide-spread recognition of trans rights and understanding can be partially attributed to the pioneering activities of the Erickson Educational Foundation which continued its good work via other partner organisations until the early 1990s.

Risograph postcard with a black and white oval photograph of American philanthropist, mechanical engineer and transgender activist, Reed Erickson. The corners have a floral motif printed in orange and the subject's name and dates are printed in orange above the printer's name and date of creation.