“Casa Susanna: The Story of the First Trans Network in the United States, 1959-1968” by Isabelle Bonnet & Sophie Hackett
Susanna Valenti at Casa Susanna. Photo courtesy of the Artist and Thames & Hudson.
Written by: Edwin L Harmon IV
Today, the ability to express one’s identity through clothing and personal appearance is a freedom experienced by many. Queer people no longer have to hide themselves in the U.S. like they did in previous years, it is often forgotten how large of a privilege this is. The ideas of chosen family and safe spaces are popular amongst queer and trans communities as everyone needs a sanctuary where they can show up as their most authentic self.
Casa Susanna was one of the earliest documented sanctuaries for crossdressing men & trans women in the United States. Located in the countryside of Jewett, New York, this farmhouse turned safe house was run by Susana Valenti and her wife Marie.
Susanna Valenti (front) pictured with visitors of Casa Susanna. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
“Casa Susanna: The Story of the First Trans Network in the United States, 1959-1968” by Isabelle Bonnet & Sophie Hackett highlights the beauty and grace of Casa Susanna’s guests. This time capsule of early queer/trans culture came from a flea market visit by art dealers Robert Swope and Michael Hurst. The dealers came across a scrapbook of nearly 340 photographs that dates back to the 1960’s. A label on the scrapbook indicated that it was once owned by Susana Valenti herself.
The collection of images documenting these remarkable women’s lives has since been passed down to various museums, collections, and artists (notably Cindy Sherman).
Excerpt from “Transvestia, no. 14, April 1962, p. 4.
Courtesy of Thames & Hudson.
Susana served as a repeat contributor to Transvestia magazine, one of the first publications created for and by transgender people. She became known for her kindness and willingness to advise other trans women on subjects like physical appearance, feminine mannerisms, and the importance of fostering community. In a letter titled “The Art of Female Impersonation” for Transvestia, Susanna details the importance of appearing as the ideal woman. A soft, gentle, well mannered and fashionable woman that would demand the utmost respect from people outside of the queer community.
Susanna Valenti pictured at Casa Susanna. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
Susanna Valenti pictured at Casa Susanna. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
Susanna and other women like herself soon realized that the “ideal woman” they were aspiring to be was a direct reflection of their own misogyny. While they faced ridicule and the daily threat of violence, their day to day life outside of Casa Susanna (and outside of cross-dress) was protected by their status as upper middle class white men. This causes an interesting enigma for them; how can one fight their oppressors while actively benefiting from the same privileges as them?
Casa Susanna Visitor. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
Life at Casa Susana is pictured as a simple one. The women in these photos needed a space to be just that, women. Free from the ridicule of society; they had parties, staged costumed photoshoots, and spent holidays together like any other family would. This space allowed them to be free to love, dress , and showup in ways that validated their femininity.
The book details the importance of photography at early crossdressing gatherings as there was a strong desire to see (and share) images that showed the possibilities of gender expression. These women wanted to solidify that they were here, while letting others know it was more than okay for them to be as well.
Casa Susanna residents capturing photos of Lilly. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
Flipping through the pages, readers get the sense that they have discovered someone's lost memories. Images are arranged in the style of a photo album, reminiscent of the original form the images were discovered in. The images span a ten year time period in which several repeat guests are pictured, further encapsulating the essence of a familial gathering.
Casa Susanna Guests. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
Casa Susanna Guests. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
Susanna can be seen in a majority of the images throughout the book as a gracious host to a group of similarly dressed women. She serves as a protagonist for the images, as readers will see her grow deeper into herself from cover to cover. The images emit a sense of pure joy and are notably never sexual in nature. The subjects are really what makes these images special as Simple glimpses into home life give insight to the true desires of these men and women. How deeply they wanted to lead a normal life, carrying out household tasks in their true form.
Susanna Valenti & Guests. Courtesy of the artist and Thames & Hudson.
“Casa Susanna: The Story of the First Trans Network in the United States, 1959-1968” is a reminder that queerness in all forms has existed long before the 2000’s. Feeling like you are not living as your true self isn’t new and one might find a lot of comfort embedded in these images. As pride month comes to a close, it’s important to remember all of the progress that has been made for queer and transgender rights since the 1960’s. Seeing Susanna and her family embrace themselves so fully proves that the spirit of Pride comes from accepting yourself while being embraced by people who can do the same.
