The Galli were priests of the ancient mother goddess Cybele. We have found altars dedicated to Cybele in Roman towns like Corbridge, which suggests there were Galli present here in Britain.
Galli wore women’s clothing and jewelry and lived as women. When ancient writers and poets wrote about the galli, we see examples of them switching between masculine and feminine pronouns.
The grave of a Gallus was found in Catterick, near York, and their grave was full of elaborate jet jewelry. Jet was thought of as a magical protecting material and was closely associated with protecting women.
The Galli can be seen as an early example of trans people being visible in history, a powerful reminder that LGBTQ people have always been a part of history.
(via @jackshoulder) #AtoZofLGBTQ
Miscellanian 