Today in Gay History: Thank a gay man for your freedom!

[Tanuki]

23. And Casimir Pulaski was most likely intersex or trans.

https://www.iflscience.com/polish-general-who-helped-america-gain-independence-was-probably-intersex-or-trans-52071

"A Polish general whose assistance was vital to the American War of Independence left a skeleton that appears female. We don't know what Casimir Pulaski knew of his own biology but it seems likely that if living today he would be considered intersex or identify as a trans man. Pulaski played a crucial role in founding America’s military, but Trump’s transgender ban would probably prevent him from serving in it today.

Pulaski was raised as a boy by his Polish noble family. In the rebellion against the Russian domination of Poland, he became famous for his daring and disregard of orders from more senior commanders. After the Polish uprising's defeat, he went to France before being recommended by Benjamin Franklin to aid in America’s Revolutionary War, after which he was known as the "Father of the American Cavalry". In an era where women soldiers were almost inconceivable, Pulaski's outstanding cavalry skills, which rescued Washington from likely death or capture at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, meant no one questioned his sex.

Decades after Pulaski’s death a monument was built to him in Monterey Square, Georgia; a body speculated to have been his was buried beneath it. When the monument needed restoring in 1996 the body was dug up and examined.

The height of the skeleton and damage to the skull and hands fit descriptions of Pulaski and injuries he suffered in battle. A possible tumor under the eye even matches a discoloration in three contemporary portraits of Pulaski. However, the skeleton’s pelvis has features that would normally lead archaeologists to classify it as biologically female.

These facts were revealed more than a decade ago, but there was no family DNA to confirm the body was Pulaski's. Now, however, advances in DNA technology have enabled comparison with mitochondrial DNA from the grave of Pulaski’s grandniece; the buried body was definitely Pulaski’s.

Professor Charles Merbs of Arizona State University contributed to the forensic analysis on the body and told ASU News: “The skeleton is about as female as can be.”...(more)