LONDON, UK – July 31, 2025
An exhibition offering a rare and intimate glimpse into a hidden chapter of mid-20th century LGBTQ+ history, “Casa Susanna:
inside a secret and empowering cross-dressing community in the 1960s,” is drawing significant attention in the art world.
This poignant collection of photographs and ephemera celebrates a unique haven where individuals could freely express their authentic selves at a time of societal repression.
The exhibition, which has garnered critical acclaim, highlights the story of Casa Susanna, a clandestine resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York. From the mid-1950s through the 1960s, this discreet retreat, run by Susanna Valenti and her wife Marie Tornell, provided a safe space for cross-dressing men and transgender women to gather, dress “en femme,” and build a supportive community away from the judgmental gaze of mainstream society.
The core of the exhibition comprises candid and often tender photographs taken by the visitors themselves.
These amateur snapshots, many of which were rediscovered at a Manhattan flea market in 2004, offer an unprecedented look into the daily lives and joyous expressions within this private world. The images portray individuals checking hemlines, chatting on deck chairs, and simply living, often embodying a middle-class ideal of femininity – a powerful act of self-affirmation in an era where such expression was largely taboo and often criminalized.
Beyond the photographs, the exhibition also features issues of Transvestia, an underground magazine founded by Virginia Prince. This publication served as a vital forum for connection, information, and personal narratives, further illustrating the resilience and resourcefulness of this community.
Curators of “Casa Susanna” emphasize the exhibition’s importance in shedding light on a pre-Stonewall cross-dressing scene, challenging misconceptions about the history of gender identity and showcasing the enduring human need for community and self-acceptance.
It underscores how photography served as a crucial tool for these individuals to create and affirm their identities and to document an existence that was otherwise largely invisible to the public.
“Casa Susanna” is being hailed as a tender and necessary exploration of identity, freedom, and the quiet dignity of choosing one’s own gender expression. It resonates powerfully in the contemporary discourse around gender, reminding viewers of the long and often challenging journey toward LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance.
CJ Global – Castle Journal Newspapers will continue to follow the impact and discussion surrounding this significant cultural event.
