Christy Henderson-Jenkins - The Outwords Archive

Trans civil rights activist Sylvia Rivera protesting Christy Henderson’s institutionalization and forced electroshock therapy during the first of many demonstrations against Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, October 5, 1970. Photo by Diana Davies. Photo courtesy of Digital Transgender Archive.

Trans civil rights activist Marsha P. Johnson protesting Christy Henderson’s institutionalization and forced electroshock therapy during the first of many demonstrations against Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, October 5, 1970. Photo by Diana Davies. Photo courtesy of Digital Transgender Archive.

A cover story interview with Christy Henderson-Jenkins titled

Page 2 of an interview with Christy Henderson-Jenkins titled

Page 7 of an interview with Christy Henderson-Jenkins titled

A portrait of Christy Henderson at her apartment in the 1970s. Christy shares, “When I was with the Black Panthers, this was the way I wore my hair.” Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

A Los Angeles Sentinel column featuring Christy Love, Los Angeles, CA, 1977. It reads, “Triple Award Recipient – Christy Love Henderson was presented a trophy recently at the Five Torches as an outstanding citizen, actress, and dancer. The award was present by Mary Walker on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop. Christy was also cited for her volunteer entertainment at many prisons around the country.” Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

An award for Christy Love Henderson from Los Angeles Councilman Gilbert Lindsey and Mayor Tom Bradley, February 24, 1984. It reads, “Entertainer Christy Love Henderson – For Your Contributions to Show Business”. Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

A Ford Taurus advertisement featuring Christy Love in 1987. Christy and her suited date are placed next to the Ford Taurus and in front of a billboard that reads, “Dance Premiere Tonight”, while another equally dressed-up Black couple walks by. The whole ad is captioned, “1987 Ford Taurus. It Performs Beautifully.” Christy shares, “It was one of the first advertisements I got to do and I was ecstatic, but I had to be secretive on set as a trans woman.” Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

A publicity shot of Christy Love (at left) and another entertainer dancing at the Tiki Lounge in the Fiji Islands. Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

Christy Love performing as “Cat Woman”. She wears black lingerie and sparkly ears, a black robe lined with white fur, and white fishnet tights. The photo is captioned, “Ms. M. Love.” Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

A newspaper column featuring Christy Love that reads, “Meow, Meow! – Ms. Love, composer and performer of the popular meow song, will stage a benefit concert on Oct. 10 at the L.A. Breakfast Club. Proceeds will go to aspiring lawyers.” Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

A newspaper column featuring Christy Love that reads, “Jazz Mania Award – was presented to Christy Love Henderson at the 20 Grand club. Ms. Love was one of the few featured acts on the show displaying her creative talent. Ellen Taft presented the award.” Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

Christy Love performing with two reggae drummers on stage at the Cover Girl Lounge, Culver City, CA. Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

The “This Week in TV” column in the Los Angeles Sentinel featuring Christy Love, Los Angeles, CA, 1996. It reads, “Tribute Paid – Once again Ms. Walker has paid tribute to an outstanding entertainer on behalf of Edgar Charles of the Caribbean Lounge – this sexy, tantalizing, dancer-actress, Ms. Christy Love Henderson. Ms. Love, who reminds one of a perpetual motion machine because of her high energy act, which is hot, fast, and full of life, gave an outstanding performance that titillated the crowd and proved she deserved all the recognition.” Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

The first page of Christy Love’s professional resume, which lists her professional training, stage performances, screen performances, union associations and professional references. Photo courtesy of Christy Henderson-Jenkins.

Christy Henderson-Jenkins was born on November 11th, 1949. She spent her childhood years in Philadelphia before moving to Arizona with her mother and stepfather at age 12.

Christy’s upbringing was filled with loving figures, many of whom helped keep her safe as she navigated her identity as a trans woman. From a principal who protected her right to present as feminine at school, to the grandmother who “set everybody straight in the house,” Christy credits her success and survival to the fact that God blessed her with such good advocates. But there was strife around her identity, too; in particular, her mother feared that Christy’s identity might put her in physical danger.

At school, Christy was also fighting a second battle. As one of only seven Black students, she faced prejudice and discrimination every day. She and her peers responded to the tension by looking out for one another and forming a network of support. This solidarity is reminiscent of the unity Christy valued about the Black Panthers, with whom she was involved for several years. An activist her whole life, Christy describes herself as a pioneer of the Black trans movement in New York.

At age 17, Christy was arrested in the Stonewall rebellion. She was later transferred to Bellevue Hospital, where she was institutionalized without her consent due to her trans identity. At Bellevue, Christy endured mistreatment, intimidation, and forced electroshock therapy. Arthur Bell and Sylvia Rivera exposed her story in a Gay Flames article, “CHRIS: Gay Prisoner in Bellevue” (using her dead name, Chris Thompson). While her friends Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson crusaded for her release – the first of many protests they would organize at Bellevue – Christy was held in the hospital for nearly a year.

After her release from Bellevue, Christy went back to school and rediscovered her love for performance. She studied music, singing, and acting, eventually embarking on a theater career that ranged from performances in Europe to a stint as a Playboy Bunny in L.A. In show business, Christy faced gender and race-based discrimination, and struggled to escape limiting labels like “drag queen” and “female impersonator.” “I don’t like labels,” she proclaims in her interview. “I’m just Christy, the entertainer.”

In 1986, Christy and her partner of 15 years separated. The separation inadvertently led to Christy’s interactions with the Grim Sleeper, a South Central Los Angeles serial killer who targeted Black women and sex workers. Though Christy escaped with her life, she was traumatized – not just by her experiences, but by the justice system’s repeated indifference towards the killer’s victims. Christy’s story is further documented in her book Nowhere to Fit In: Survivor of the Grim Sleeper, which she describes as an opportunity to turn her power and strength into a book for all.

In her interview, Christy describes herself as a survivor, a fighter, and a pioneer. She is proud to say that she has always known how to stand up for herself; it is this sense of confidence that so beautifully radiates through her experiences, stories, and thoughts. Today, Christy serves on the executive committee of the Stonewall Rebellion Veterans’ Association, where she continues to advocate for self-love, self-acceptance, and the importance of unity in the queer community.

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