The hidden trans history I discovered in the UK's most famous museums

QueerAF Podcast: Season Five, Episode Nine. Two of the uk's most important art institutions just did once in a decage 'rehangs' signifcantly changing the art on display, and the new stories they tell reveal more Trans+ history than ever before – listen now.

In this episode: 

Rehangs at art museums are rare. The last one at Tate Britain was in 2012. Whilst galleries will make small changes to their on-display collections, these are small, only happen every few months and usually happen for specific reasons (such as an item going on loan to another gallery).

But each rehang gives an art gallery to make a statement on what its mission as an institution is. A statement that visitors will likely see for ten or more years. So it's a big deal that Tate Britain and the National Gallery both increased the amount of LGBTQIA+ representation in their recent rehangs. This week's producer, Mills Dyer explores some key Trans+ history they reveal, with guests:

• Abi Penton – A Tate tour guide and expert on Gluck
• Cas Bradbeer - A queer historian and V&A Tour guide
• Prof Matt Cook – Professor of Queer History at Oxford University

View the art discussed in today's show:

• Flora’s Cloak c.1923, Gluck
• Chevalier d'Eon by Thomas Stewart, after Jean-Laurent Mosnier
• Prints of Chevalier d’Eon at the National Portrait Gallery

The history lesson we never had

The episode was produced as part of the QueerAF launchpad initiative Trans+ History Week. Season five of the podcast has been made by six trans+ creatives who have been paid, mentored, and supported by the not-for-profit publisher QueerAF to make a show.

Each creative has also been given equipment to make the show, which they can keep forever, as part of an initiative to help more Trans+ creatives break into and succeed in the audio industry. 

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Behind the scenes, QueerAF's podcast is way more than about creating delightful sounds for your ears. The project is signposted by industry leaders and diversity initiatives because we help under-represented queer voices build media, audio and podcast careers.

QueerAF memberships help to directly fund the emerging LGBTQIA+ creatives we mentor. They help give them that crucial kickstart to their exciting career ahead.