A new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 'Casa Susanna', showcases a collection of photographs from a secret community of cross-dressers in the 1960s. The images were discovered at a flea market in 2004 by two antique dealers, who were struck by the subjects' conservative, midcentury style rather than flamboyant drag.
The sanctuary was founded by trans woman Susanna Valenti and her wife Marie Tornell after a chance meeting in Tornell's Manhattan wig shop. Together, they created a safe space in the Catskill Mountains where individuals could dress and live as their feminine selves without fear of exposure.
During the McCarthy era, most members were married men with families and professional careers, and faced severe consequences if their cross-dressing was discovered. Despite this pressure, the photographs exude joy and freedom, capturing moments of respite from a life of forced conformity.
The exhibition includes around 160 photos alongside material from 'Transvestia', a zine produced by the community. Curator Mia Fineman notes the profound importance of these images for those depicted, allowing them to see themselves affirmed as women at a time when such expression was largely forbidden.
'Casa Susanna' offers a poignant and tender look at trans identity from over half a century ago, highlighting the enduring power of photography in affirming and building communities.
