Susanna (center) and four guests in Casa Susanna's living room. Circa 1962.
Cindy Sherman
American Experience: Casa Susanna tells the story of a forgotten moment in Queer History
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Staff
Cindy Sherman
Susanna (center) and four guests in Casa Susanna's living room. Circa 1962.
American Experience: Casa Susanna provides a moving look back at a secret world where the persecuted and frightened found freedom, acceptance and, often, the courage to live out of the shadows.
American Experience: Casa Susanna premieres Tuesday, June 27 at 9pm on WITF TV or the PBS or WITF App. Livestream or stream it on demand for free until July 26 with WITF Passport.
In the 1950s and ’60s, an underground network of transgender women and cross-dressing men found refuge at a modest house in the Catskills region of New York. Known as Casa Susanna, the house provided a safe place to express their true selves and live for a few days as they had always dreamed — dressed as and living as women without fear of being incarcerated or institutionalized for their self-expression.
American Experience travels back to the now abandoned site with previous guests of Casa Susanna, Diana and Kate. Through photos, archival footage and personal remembrances, they share their stories of a time when people like them, from all over the country, came together at a place where they were free to dress and live as women from morning to night.
The stories and photos from family members of those who have been to Casa Susanna provide a fascinating and moving look at a forgotten moment in queer history.
Watch American Experience: Casa Susanna on WITF TV on Tuesday, June 27 at 9pm or stream it on demand for free until July 26 with the PBS or WITF App.
American Experience: Casa Susanna is part of special Pride Month programming supported on WITF TV by Mid Penn Bank.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
