Via @/transmascstudies on Instagram, bio written by Remi Graves @/shadebutter on Instagram
"Paul Downing (1875-1906, USA) was a Black Cherokee trans man from Georgia. He is thought to have worked on ships before arriving in Europe where he travelled through Spain, France, and Belgium. Paul ended up in England where he worked as a labourer on a farm in Throwley and as an odd jobs man for a Bermondsey undertaker.
On 5th September 1905, Paul was stopping omnibuses on Blackfriars Bridge in search of his wife. He was arrested and charged as a 'wandering lunatic'. Items found on him included a pipe, a comb, a knife, some ties, a bible, and two hymn books.
During his trial at Mansion House, Paul stated: "I have never been dead, but it is said I have been killed."
Paul was outed whilst on the male ward at Bow Road Infirmary, and was subsequently moved to the female ward of Stone Asylum in Dartford, where he died nine months later."













