A stack of letters written by trans people asking for help in the 90s is an essential piece of queer history. The letters are rightly kept confidentially, but a year ago we were given special access to make a sound art piece using them. Today we’re marking the anniversary of that work, which was produced by Tash and Arlie Adlington, with contributions from Jesse Lawson, Kamari Romeo, naafi, and Imogen Sayers.

The Sound of Trans Freedom audio piece in full: Soundcloud | YouTube

Short films mentioned in this episode:

Sweetheart (dir Luke Wintour, 2025)

Dandelion (dir Fiona Obertinca, 2026)

The Sound of Trans Freedom was supported by an Engagement Grant from The National Archives

Thanks to all the contributors who gave their voices, thoughts and feelings to the pieces

The Press for Change archive letters read throughout the piece were by Serena James, recorded by David Pye

The featured artists were:

naafi, Kamari Romeo, Tom Sayers, Jesse Lawson

Archival audio courtesy of:

Gender Talk, a radio show speaking the language of gender created by Nancy Nangeroni, originally broadcast on WMBR Cambridge and Boston, USA. Find them at gendertalk.com.

Out-FM, a multi-racial, progressive LGBTQ+ public affairs and culture show on WBAI New York, USA. Listen to their extensive archive at outfm.org.

The Sound of Trans Freedom was...

Compiled and mixed by Arlie Adlington

Produced by Tash Walker

And the Executive Producers for Aunt Nell were Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

Thanks to:

Stephen Whittle

Press for Change

The National Archives

and

The Hall-Carpenter Archives at LSE

Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.

Aunt Nell: Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | website

The Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

The assistant producer is Mia Campbell

Music from Soundstripe

Original artwork by Natalie Doto

Thanks to the dreamboats at Acast

For the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.

For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.

KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tash went along to Hastings for a tour of Lemons, Laws and Secret Doors — an exhibition made by a local queer collective all about their history. There was so much to discover!

Tash and Adam are running a writing workshop at Joelle Taylor’s Maryville salon this weekend - tickets here!

Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.

Aunt Nell: Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | website

The Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

The assistant producer is Mia Campbell

Music from Soundstripe

Original artwork by Natalie Doto

Thanks to the dreamboats at Acast

For the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.

For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.

KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam takes Tash on a deep dive of the artist FKA twigs: her style, her drive, her weirdness, and of course her delicious music. We covered the full range of her career and why she’s an icon for queers, women and weirdos. We love you, twigs!

Discussed in this episode:

Poni’s flip of Fallen Alien by FKA twigs

Listen to ad-free episodes by supporting the show on Patreon.

Aunt Nell: Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | website

The Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

The assistant producer is Mia Campbell

Music from Soundstripe

Original artwork by Natalie Doto

Thanks to the dreamboats at Acast

For the story of the helpline Switchboard and untold stories from Britain's LGBTQ+ history: listen to Seasons 1-3, co-produced with Shivani Dave.

For interviews from the research for our book, published by Faber & Faber: listen to Season 4.

KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.