New Edition of Lisetta Carmi's 'Travestiti' Published by Contrasto

Contrasto has released a new edition of Lisetta Carmi's seminal photobook 'Travestiti', originally published in 1972. The book documents the lives of transgender individuals in Genoa between 1965 and 1970. Carmi, who died in 2022 at age 98, began the project after being invited to a birthday party where men dressed as women, many of whom identified as women. Over seven years, she took 2,000 images. The first edition, published by Essedì (founded by Sergio Donnabella), was initially rejected by publishers and many copies remained unsold, saved from pulping by friends like Barbara Alberti. The new edition includes a selection of color photographs. The release coincides with a retrospective of Carmi's work at Gallerie d'Italia in Turin, running until February 12. The book features essays by Vittorio Lingiardi, Juliet Jacques, and Paola Rosina that contextualize the work within Italy's history of homophobia. Despite Italy having no laws against homosexuality since 1889, cross-dressing was illegal; in 1969 the Court of Cassation ruled it a crime. Carmi's photographs capture intimate moments of daily life—makeup, clothing, camaraderie—with empathy and respect. She stated, 'I learned that freedom can be photographed.' The work is seen as a pioneering document of gender nonconformity and a testament to the struggles for civil rights.