Unearthing Black Trans History

In honor of Black History Month, Imara digs into the archives to unearth the incredible stories of two 19th century Black trans women. Archivist and scholar Riah Kinsey discusses what he’s discovered about Mary Jones, a sex worker and pick-pocket who made her way into New York City tabloids throughout the 1830’s. Imara and Riah piece together what we know about her remarkable life and wonder about what else there might be to discover. Then cultural organizer and filmmaker Mickaela Bradford discusses her new short film “Under False Colors.” It tells the story of Frances Thompson, the first known trans woman to testify in front of the U.S. Congress. 

Find a screening of Under False Colors near you here.

Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org 

Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook.

Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)

Follow our guests on social media!

Quinton Reynolds: Instagram (@gamechangingmen) and X (@MenChanging)

Riah L. Kinsey: https://www.rlkinsey.com/

Mickaela Bradford: Instagram (@mickaela007 @underfalsecolors)

TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

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