Jack Bee Garland was born in San Francisco in 1869. Growing up as a rebellious tomboy, Garland was sent to a convent school but escaped through marrying a family friend at age 15, whom he divorced a few months later.

In 1899 he took the male identity of Beebe Beam and accompanied US army forces to the Philippines to participate in the Philippine war.

After becoming unwell, his history was discovered, Beam was banished from the ship. He was disguised in a uniform by other soldiers and hidden until safe. After publishing a book about his Philippine adventure Beam abandoned newspaper writing and assumed the identity Jack Bee Garland.

He devoted himself to social work with the American Red Cross and other charitable organisations, and remained active in these areas until his death. Louis Sullivan has published his life story in a book entitled: From Female to Male: Life of Jack Bee Garland, 1990. 

Check out more trans history on Gendered Intelligence’s ‘Trans History’ tag.