TransTrans: Transnational Trans* Histories

Curated by Birgit Lang and Katie Sutton, TransTrans explores transnational networks of trans people who shaped early gender-diverse histories between the 1900s and the 1960s, showing in the Pride Gallery from September 19 – November 3 2024.

The exhibition delves into the interactions among German and European, North American, and Australian trans communities, as well as their collaboration with scientific researchers on gender diversity. These researchers include those associated with institutions such as Magnus Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin, and communities like the queer subcultures of Weimar Germany.

Additionally, it examines photographs from the collection of Carla Erskine, a US-based trans* activist who established an intimate trans support network in 1950s USA.

This exhibition has been previously shown in Calgary, Berlin and Munich. It was originally conceived by Alex Bakker, Rainer Herrn, Michael Thomas Taylor, and Annette F. Timm and has been adapted for Australian audiences by Birgit Lang and Katie Sutton and AQUQ and in consultation and conversation with trans community groups.

Karen W. smiling into mirror. Copyright © 2017, The Trustees of Indiana University on behalf of the Kinsey -Institute. All rights reserved.Karen W. smiling into mirror. Copyright © 2017, The Trustees of Indiana University on behalf of the Kinsey -Institute. All rights reserved.