Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad

Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad (born 3 May 1949) is a Norwegian physician and sexologist who is also known as one of Norway's most prominent trans people. Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad was originally known as just Esben Benestad, but often publishes work in the name which includes their alias Esther Pirelli, the name which is often used by the media.^[1][2][3] Even though the Justice Department originally refused to issue supplementary identity documents in the name of Benestad's desired name, the local police eventually issued some unofficial documents.

Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad
Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad in 2011
Born	(1949-05-03) 3 May 1949 (age 75)
Nationality	Norwegian
Occupation(s)	Medical doctor and sexologist
Political party	Liberal Party (Norway)

Benestad is married to sexologist Elsa Almås and is the parent of the film director Even Benestad. Even Benestad made the documentary Alt om min far about his parent.^[4]

In 2007, they took part in the reality TV series Skal vi danse and was voted out after four episodes. They told the talk show God kveld, Norge! that they were sometimes bullied by the judges because they criticised their trans identity while dancing.

Benestad has been a minor political candidate for the Liberal Party.^[5]

Benestad's preferred pronoun is singular they.^[6]

Bibliography

• Sexologi i praksis, with Elsa Almås (1997, revised 2006)
• Kjønn i bevegelse, with Elsa Almås (2001)
• Transseksualisme – hvor går vi og hvor står vi? (2002)
• Transekjønn og diagnoser (2004)
• Penisatlas (2005)

References

1. "Får hete Esben og Esther" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 October 2000. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
2. Lee, Irina (25 August 2000). "Vil hete Esben Esther". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 28 November 2006.
3. Madsen, Trond (24 August 2000). "Esben vil hete Esben Esther". Agderposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 28 November 2006.
4. Jørgensen, Liv (14 February 2002). "Alt om min far". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 28 November 2006.
5. "Her er de nye Venstre-toppene". Liberal Party (Norway) (in Norwegian). Grimstad Venstre. 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2022-04-06. – Lista består av 20 menn og 20 kvinner, det hele perfekt balansert med Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad på æresplassen til slutt på lista. Vi har valgt å kumulere så mange som syv kandidater, rett og slett for å bidra til at det blir minst like mange kvinner som menn i kommunestyregruppa. Det er vårt bidrag til et mer likestilt kommunestyre. Det trenger Grimstad, sier Hans Antonsen.
6. "Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad". Sexology Supervisors.