Lucy Hicks Anderson

Born in 1886 in Wandy, Kentucky, Lucy Hicks Anderson was a Black transgender pioneer, American socialite, chef, and prohibition-era entrepreneur. From a young age, Anderson knew she identified as a girl and insisted on wearing dresses and going by the name Lucy. Before the term “transgender” was coined, Lucy was taken to a local physcian by her mother and the physician suggested that Lucy be brought up as a girl and she was. 

At age 34, Anderson married her first husband, Clarence Hicks, and made a name for herself as a successful chef in Oxnard, California. She hosted dinner parties in her community, won many awards for her cooking skills, and donated much of the money she earned to charity. 

WIth the money that she had earned from her experience as a chef, Anderson opened up a speakeasy and brothel that was rather well-known. Her popularity in the community made it possible for her to own and operate her business successfully. After divorcing her first husband in 1929, she married retired soldier, Rueben Anderson in 1944. 

In 1955, a venereal disease outbreak was traced back to Anderson’s brothel. The local doctor insisted that all women be physically examined and demanded that Anderson be checked as well. When the doctor had come to know that Anderson was originally assigned as male at birth, he targeted her, outing her and spreading said information to the public. Both she and her husband were tried by the federal government and Anderson was charged with perjury and fraud. 

When asked to speak in court, Anderson stood her ground and fought for justice.

“I defy any doctor in the world to prove that I am not a woman,” Anderson said. “I have lived, dressed, and acted just what I am—a woman.”

Both she and her husband had to face jail time while Anderson had to face an extra ten years of probation. Once released from prison, Anderson came to know that she was banned from staying in Oxnard and moved to Los Angeles where she resided until she passed away in 1954. 

Anderson will forever go down in history as the first Black trans woman to defend herself and her identity in court. She serves as a role model to many even today as her story encourages everyone to speak their truth.