Canary Conn
Canary Conn (born 1949) is an American entertainer and author. Her memoir Canary was one of the early notable memoirs of a transsexual woman,[1] and she made numerous talk show appearances to discuss her transition in the 1970s.
Life and career
Conn grew up in San Antonio, Texas and was married and has a child by age 18.[2] In 1968, Conn was the entry sponsored by KONO-FM in a national talent show hosted by Ed Ames and Aretha Franklin titled Super Teen: The Sounds of '68. After winning best male vocalist, Conn was given a recording contract with Capitol Records as the prize.[3] In 1969, under the name Danny O'Connor, Conn recorded four songs for Capitol, including "Imaginary Worlds" and "Ridin' Red Hood." In March of that year, Capitol released a 45 with the singles "Can You Imagine" and "If I Am Not Free."
Following a failed suicide attempt, Conn made her transition at age 23. She found it difficult to get subsequent work, and she only had one contact with her son in 1972 following the breakup of her marriage.[4] In 1974, she published Canary: The Story of a Transsexual.[5][6] A paperback version of her memoir was released following an appearance on The Merv Griffin Show.[7][8] Conn also appeared on Tomorrow and The Phil Donahue Show. She later discontinued her media appearances and founded a small business.
Publications
- O'Connor, Danny (1969). If I Am Not Free / Can You Imagine. 7-inch 45, Capitol 2441
- Conn, Canary (1974). Canary: The Story of a Transsexual. Nash, ISBN 9780840213457
References
- ^ Hausman, Bernice L. (1995). Changing Sex: Transsexualism, Technology, and the Idea of Gender. Duke University Press, ISBN 9780822316923
- ^ Associated Press (July 17, 1977). Sex change called 'social suicide.' Tri City Herald
- ^ Staff report (August 20, 1968). Aretha To Help Launch Stars. Hartford Courant
- ^ Liddick, Betty (September 30, 1976). Transsexuals: Fitting Physique to Psyche. Los Angeles Times
- ^ Prosser, Jay (1998). Second Skins: The Body Narratives of Transsexuality. Columbia University Press, ISBN 9780231109352
- ^ Shevy, Sandra (October 13, 1974). 'Story of a Transsexual'--The Feminine Mistake. Los Angeles Times
- ^ Liddick, Betty (July 2, 1978). Transsexuals and a New Life. Los Angeles Times
- ^ Liddick, Betty (July 2, 1978). Transsexual's Texas Homecoming. Los Angeles Times