Canary Conn
{{short description|American entertainer and author|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Canary Conn
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| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1949}}
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| nationality = American
| other_names =
| occupation = Writer
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| notable_works = Canary: The Story of a Transsexual
}}
Canary Conn (born 1949) is an American entertainer and author. Her memoir, Canary: The Story of a Transsexual,{{cite book|last=Conn|first=Canary|title=Canary: The Story of a Transsexual|publisher=Nash Publications|year=1974|isbn=978-0840213457}} was one of the early notable memoirs of a self-described Transsexual,Hausman, Bernice L. (1995). Changing Sex: Transsexualism, Technology, and the Idea of Gender. Duke University Press, {{ISBN|9780822316923}} 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 with a baby by 18.Associated Press (July 17, 1977). [https://archive.today/20130216035355/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DrstAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tokFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3026,4214938 Sex change called 'social suicide.'] Tri City Herald In 1968, Conn was the entrant 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.Staff report (August 20, 1968). [https://archive.today/20130216161844/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/937626492.html?dids=937626492:937626492&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI Aretha To Help Launch Stars.] Hartford Courant 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 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.Liddick, Betty (September 30, 1976). [https://archive.today/20130216163911/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/658503802.html?dids=658503802:658503802&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI Transsexuals: Fitting Physique to Psyche.] Los Angeles Times In 1974, she published Canary: The Story of a Transsexual.Prosser, Jay (1998). Second Skins: The Body Narratives of Transsexuality. Columbia University Press, {{ISBN|9780231109352}}Shevy, Sandra (October 13, 1974). [https://archive.today/20130216164056/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/644813162.html?dids=644813162:644813162&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI 'Story of a Transsexual'--The Feminine Mistake.] Los Angeles Times A paperback version of her memoir was released following an appearance on The Merv Griffin Show.Liddick, Betty (July 2, 1978). [https://archive.today/20130216170034/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/647684992.html?dids=647684992:647684992&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI Transsexuals and a New Life.] Los Angeles TimesLiddick, Betty (July 2, 1978). [https://archive.today/20130216170034/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/647684992.html?dids=647684992:647684992&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI Transsexual's Texas Homecoming.] Los Angeles Times 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
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Category:American transgender musicians
Category:Transgender women writers
Category:American women non-fiction writers
Category:LGBTQ people from Texas
Category:Transgender memoirists
Category:American women memoirists
Category:Writers from San Antonio
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:Transgender women musicians