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Digital Transgender Archive

@transgenderarchive.bsky.social

Trans history, linked. 🔗 #transhistory Our Website: https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/ Join Our Newsletter Here: https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/contact

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Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4d ago

Photograph of Sable Clown in clown makeup with a heart on her cheek and wearing a tulle collar. For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA #ImperialCourt

Black and white photograph of Sable Clown looking at the camera and wearing clown makeup, a flower and ribbon hair accessory, and a ruffled top. At the bottom right corner reads "Sable for Empress '86".

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 7d ago

Issue No. 10 of Thing magazine, a Chicago-based publication dedicated to Black LGBTQ+ life, art, and politics. For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of @lltransarchive.bsky.social. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA #DragQueen

Magazine cover featuring Jazzmun, a Black drag queen with short hair wearing a yellow sleeveless top and a matching pearl necklace, bracelet, and earrings.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · last wk.

A photograph of Stormé DeLarverie (center), surrounded by three female impersonators at Roberts Show Club in Chicago, Illinois. For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of New York Public Library. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Black and white photograph of Stormé DeLarverie wearing a tuxedo surrounded by three female impersonators wearing patterned dresses and hats, two at each arm and one sitting on the floor in the foreground.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 2w ago

The DTA is proud to welcome Gabrielle Garcia as our new Assistant Director! In addition to their duties as Assistant Director, Gabrielle will manage the DTA lab in Oakland, California at Northeastern University. They’re looking forward to helping make trans history more accessible. 🏳️‍⚧️

Colored portrait image of Gabrielle Garcia smiling in front of a grey backdrop wearing a black and white striped polo shirt and a dark green jacket.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · last mo.

Photo of Imperial Court of San Francisco members on Gay Freedom Day parade float (ca. 1990s). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Pictured: colored photo of six people wearing ballgowns or suits, standing in pairs in midst of street parade. Two people stand atop a blue parade float, holding a sign for the emperor and empress. Two people stand leaning against the float with one’s arm over the other’s shoulder. Two people stand on the concrete with one’s arm around the other’s waist. A yellow feathered parade float can also be seen in the foreground.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · last mo.

Photo of the 1966 “Street Sweep” organized by Vanguard, an organization of gay and trans youth, protesting police harassment of those living on the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. For more info, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory

Pictured: black and white photograph of a group of people holding brooms, sweeping the sidewalk and marching past a cinema. Other spectators stand amidst the crowd and watch the group. The marquee above the protest shows a film called “Vietnam in Turmoil” and advertises “First Showing! 80 Explosive Minutes!”

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Photo of Fantasia Fair participants in pyramid formation (1995). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of Radcliffe Institute. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Pictured: colored photograph of ten people in pyramid formation indoors, with four kneeling on the carpet, three people stacked above them, two people above them, and one at the top. Another person lays on the carpet, in front of the group, with her head in her hand, and another stands to the side, reaching out to balance the group. Each person is smiling or laughing.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Queens Liberation Front newsletter, a group primarily composed of transvestites and drag queens, reporting on trans political news in New York City (1974). For more information, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of USC Libraries. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Pictured: black and white photo of person in white dress with bejewelled collar and sleeves, lifting what appears to be a cigarette holder over her head. She stands over a crowd of people. Under the photo, “Vol 1.” “No 2,” “from the Queens Liberation Front.”

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Photo of Educational Transvestite Channel (ETVC) members at San Francisco City Hall, standing under a section of the AIDS memorial quilt (1988). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Pictured: colored photo of eight people wearing skirts and dresses, standing together on the outside steps of a building. Behind them, a sign reads “City Hall.” Above their heads, the middle section of a banner reads “A responds to AIDS Oct 8 & 9 Washin.” Above the banner, squares of the quilt depict various names, including Michael Marshall, William Anton Woodburn Jr, Barnabas Wiswell, Steve Miller, John Romano, and Neil Peter Brennan. A pride flag also hangs from the facade of the building.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Photo of Jackie Starr, famed female impersonator who headlined at the Garden of Allah, Seattle’s first gay-owned and operated gay bar (c. 1947). For more information, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of University of Washington Libraries. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful

Pictured: black and white photo of Jackie Starr in an evening gown with a long tulle skirt and flowers adorning the sleeves, a beaded necklace, and a floral headpiece. Jackie leans against a white wall and looks away from the camera.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Winter 1974 issue of Moonshadow, publication of the Transexual Action Organization which centered on transexual life, politics, and art. For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of USC ONE Archives. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Pictured: cover printed on green paper with “Moonshadow” at the top of the page. Below the title, illustration of person in an astronaut’s helmet with hair partially covering her face, standing before a background of towers, stars, and planets and a speech bubble reading “Sure, Henri.” To the left of the illustration, “Free” and “JanFeb 74.” To the bottom right of the illustration, “Transexual Action Organization.”

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Photo of Victoria Schneider, trans & intersex activist & sex worker, celebrating after successfully suing the city of San Francisco for an unlawful strip search (1999). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #DTA

Pictured: photo of Victoria Schneider standing in front of an enlarged printed copy of her settlement, awarding $750,000 in damages. She wears a black shirt and floral skirt, smiling with a drink in hand. Under the date and signature are seven and half 100 Grand candy bars taped to the settlement.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Cover of the Femme Mirror, newsletter for Tri Ess, the Society for the Second Self (1988). Includes book reviews, short fictions, memoirs, poetry, and chapter news. For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Flyer for Lords and Ladies drag show, hosted by the Imperial Court of New York (ca. 1990s). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of LGBT Center NYC. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Happy Pride! Photo of Cocoa Rodriguez and Allyson Allante at NYC Pride, honoring Marsha P. Johnson (1995). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of NYC LGBT Center. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA #Pride #Pride2026

Pictured: colored photograph of Cocoa and Allyson standing outside in midst of parade. Cocoa holds a rainbow umbrella and wears a peach dress, pearl necklace, and a yellow button that says "Justice for Marsha" in red letters. Allyson wears a rainbow dress with beaded necklace and holds a white sign that says "Justice for Marsha" in black letters.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Cover of Urania No. 19 (1920), a privately circulated feminist journal whose foundational philosophy revolved around the abolition of gender. For more info about this collection, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of LSE Women’s Library. #TransHistory #Pride #Pride2026

Pictured: front cover of Urania, No. 19 (January-February 1920) with “War Number” printed above the title. To the left of the title, a blue stamp from the British Library of Political Science. Underneath the title, “‘Let us break their bonds in sunder, and cast away their cords from us!’:—Psalms”; “TO THE READER,”; “Urania denotes the company of those who are firmly determined to ignore the dual organization of humanity in all its manifestations. They are convinced that this duality has resulted in the formation of two warped and imperfect types. They are further convinced that in order to get rid of this state of things no measures of ‘emancipation’ or ‘equality’ will suffice, which do not begin by a complete refusal to recognize or tolerate the duality itself. If the world is to see sweetness and independence combined in the same individual, all recognition of that duality must be given up. For it inevitably brings in its train the suggestion of the conventional distortions of character which are based on it. There are no ‘men’ or ‘women’ in Urania. ‘All’ ousin hôs angelœ.’” “A register is kept of those who hold these principles, and all who are entered in it will receive this leaflet while funds admit. Names should be sent to J. Wade, York House, Portugal Street, London, W.C.; E. Gore-Booth and E. Roper, 33, Fitzroy Square, London, N.W.; D.H. Cornish, 32, Via dell’ Erta Canina, Florence, Italy; T. Baty, Temple, London, E.C.” “Will those who are already readers and would like us to continue sending them copies, kindly do us the favour of sending a post-card to one of the above addresses? We should much appreciate suggestions and criticisms.”

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The Vicki Marlane collection contains photos and ephemera from the San Francisco entertainer's decades on the stage, as well as her personal life, friendships, and loves. For more information, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #Pride #Pride2026

Pictured: colored Polaroid photo of Vicki standing in front of a brown curtain, wearing a red shirt and denim shorts, and standing with her hands on her hips

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Issue of Transsexuals in Prison, an educational newsletter dedicated to sharing news and resources for incarcerated trans people (1993). For more information about this collection, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Images courtesy of LGBT Center in NYC. #TransHistory #Pride #Pride2026

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Cover of the Tartan Skirt, a Scottish periodical dedicated to the “gender community"---people who identified as crossdressers, transsexuals, and transgender (2000). For more info, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of Highland Archive Center. #TransHistory #Pride #Pride2026

Pictured: cover of magazine with tagline “The indispensable companion to Scottish transgender lifestyle, culture and current affairs” at the top of the page and “the Tartan Skirt” underneath with a Scottish flag and “WINTER 2000/£3.50.”

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Photo of Alexis Francois, genderfluid drag queen, hairstylist, and wig maker, whose photo collection captures decades of elegance and camp in San Francisco. For more info about this collection, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Images courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #Pride #Pride2026

Pictured: colored photo of Alexis wearing a straw hat with multicolored flowers, a blue and orange scarf, red shirt, brown vest, and hoop earrings. She poses indoors and faces to the side with both her hands gesturing upwards

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Happy Pride! Pictured here is a cover of Transsexual News Telegraph (TNT), featuring an iconic image of Susan Stryker burning her surgery approval form (1993). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Images courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #DTA #Pride

Pictured: magazine cover printed on green paper, with the title “TNT” and subtitle “TRANSSEXUAL - NEWS - TELEGRAPH” centered, “$3.50” and “Summer ‘93” on either side. Under the title, a black and white photograph of Susan Stryker wearing a black leather jacket, black sunglasses, and a white t-shirt with the word “TRANSGENDER” and overlapping male and female symbols. She is holding a burning piece of paper.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Join our team! We’re looking for an Assistant Director to work on our recently established project hub in Oakland, California. Click the link in our bio to see the full job posting and apply! #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA #DigitalArchives #Archives

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Article from SF Weekly, “Drag Kings: Sometimes Girls Will be Boys,” detailing the drag king scene in San Francisco (1995). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Pictured: cover of SF Weekly newspaper, with black and white photograph of a drag king wearing a suit, sunglasses, and scarf. Above the photo, “SF Weekly” is printed in orange front, next to a green text box with “Slap Shots bridges the yawning gap at a mayoral forum” inside and “September 27 - October 3, 1995” above and “Volume 14, Number 33 FREE” below. Under the photo, “Drag” in orange cursive and “KINGS” in yellow block font, with the tagline “Sometimes girls will be boys” in blue and the author, “By Amy Linn,” in orange. Under the title, a green text box with “Bay View: Have bus, will be homeless,” blue box with “Film: Short Attention Span Festival grabs you by the short hairs,” and yellow box with “Music: Special beat service – Berkeley’s Dance Hall Crashers.” Above the text boxes: “Naked Guns: Shafer on the shame of the SFPD crime lab.”

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Cover of Trikone Magazine Vol. 14, No. 3, a publication dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender South Asians (1999). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of LGBT Center. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #AAPIHeritageMonth

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Photo from Mosaic, a photography collection of Asian queer and trans individuals, including drag performances, street photos, and models in traditional garb (1985). For more info about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of LLTA. #TransHistory #AAPIHeritageMonth

Pictured: colored photograph of person wearing a beaded, mesh, and feathered costume with matching headpiece, smiling away from the camera and raising one hand, blurry in motion. Another person stands behind, wearing an orange and yellow feathered costume with an excited expression

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Spread from “We Are Special,” brochure created by the Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention (ca. 1996-99). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #AAPIHeritageMonth #DTA

Pictured: colored photo of four people in front of pink background, with “We are everywhere” printed in white handwritten font above their heads. The four people stand close to each other and smile for the camera.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Autographed photo of Shuug Au Sing, a Chinese-American female impersonator who worked in the Seattle drag circuit (c. 1946-1956). For more info about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of University of Washington libraries. #TransHistory #AAPIHeritageMonth #DTA

Pictured: black and white photo of Shuug Au Sing holding two swords and looking towards the camera with shoulders slightly angled away. Shuug wears a bejeweled headpiece and beaded clothing with tassels draped along the front. On the lower right corner, the photo is autographed in cursive.

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Happy AAPI Heritage Month! Flyer for birthday roast honoring Coco LaChine, empress of the Imperial Court of New York (ca. 1990s). For more info about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of LGBT Community Center. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #AAPIHeritageMonth

Pictured: flyer with pink background and black and white photo of Coco, wearing dangling earrings with her hair curled. Printed in eccentric circles around the photo, creating black and gray rings: “Empress Coco LaChine Birthday Roast.” Under her photo are text bubbles, from left to right: “Wednesday August 26th 7:30 PM $5.00/door $5.00 to roast,” “And candidates show featuring,” “Emperor William Empress Panzi,” “Princess Royale Anne Tique Prince Royale Chet - Prince Royale Gabriel,” “Hot Go Go Boys and other special guests.” At the bottom of the flyer: “Proceeds to benefit the Imperial Court of New York,” “Produced by: Prince Bobsie Colon,” “The Web 40 East 58th Street, NYC.”

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Cover of Feminique, newsletter published by the Seahorse Club of Australia, a social and support group originally dedicated to heterosexual transvestites (1975). For more information about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. #TransHistory #TransIsBeautiful #DTA

Digital Transgender Archive @transgenderarchive.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Flyer for JUNK: An Evening of Queer Underground Cinema (ca. 1990s). Item comes from Joshua Aidan Dunn collection, a Two-Spirit activist known for his queer youth advocacy. For more info about this item, please visit the DTA via the link in our bio. Image courtesy of GLBT HS. #TransHistory #DTA

Pictured: flyer with pink background and black and white illustration of person with two heads wearing 1960s go-go inspired dress, boots, and hair, holding a blue balloon in one hand and teddy bear in the other. Above the illustration, the title reads “JUNK: an evening of queer underground cinema.” To the bottom right of the illustration: “junk - 1. genderqueer gentitalia/i.e. - can’t stop grabbin’ my junk/ 2. - dis-carded, abandoned, unwanted, broken/i.e. - one queer’s junk is another queer’s weapon/ 3. - cheap, dirty, rebellious, political, deviant/i.e. - JUNK, not yer momma’s queer film festival”