This week we are looking at Attis, a figure assigned male at birth who travelled to Phrygia and underwent a gender transition. The experience of Attis mirrors closely the experience of modern trans-women as we start with a figure who was never all that comfortable with male societal roles who is able to flourish upon gender affirmation. 

The story of this transformation and the first few hours after is found in Catullus 63. Though he reflects the general Roman attitude that Attis has become a counterfeit woman, everything about Attis is expressed with feminine terms in the poem. Interpreting this story through a Trans lens allows us to better interpret the emotional period immediately after the sexual reassignment. 

This is Part 1 covering the transition itself, Part 2 will focus on those swirling emotions which express grief for a changing status.