Joan of Arc (1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France and is celebrated for defending the country.

Joan played a key role in the siege of Orléans and pushed for the coronation of Charles VII during the Hundred Years' War. Claiming to be guided by divine visions, Joan became a military leader who broke traditional gender roles and was recognized as a savior of France.

In the book Transgender Warriors: Making History From Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman, transgender author Leslie Feinberg suggested that Joan of Arc could be considered transgender. Under the section "They Called Her 'Hommasse'," Feinberg refers to Evans and Murray, who emphasize the significance of Joan wearing men's clothing as part of her identity. Feinberg states that Joan chose to endure the agony of being burned alive rather than deny who she was, calling her an inspiring role model as a brave transgender teenager who led an army of workers into battle.

In Evolution's Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People, transgender biologist Joan Roughgarden supports Feinberg's view, describing Joan as a "male-identified trans person." Feinberg also argues in Transgender Liberation that Joan of Arc was executed by the Catholic Church's Inquisition because she refused to stop dressing as a man. According to Feinberg, Joan's cross-dressing was a fundamental part of her identity, one she was willing to die for. Feinberg criticizes historians who have overlooked this aspect, pointing out that Joan's judges were disturbed by Joans refusal to wear women's clothing. Joan declared, "For nothing in the world will I swear not to arm myself and put on a man's dress,"