Kindred Transmissions by the Digital Transgender Archive
Kindred Transmissions is a podcast by the Digital Transgender Archive that tunes into the revolutionary voices of trans people from history. Through archival recordings, personal reflections, and conversations with contemporary trans artists, scholars, and activists, we trace the echoes of kinship across generations.
From Stonewall icons like Marsha P Johnson to visionary artists and activists like Red Jordan Arobateau, Rupert Raj, and Aiyyana Maracle, each episode invites listeners to experience trans history not as distant or static, but as alive, resonant, and still transmitting through time.
What does it mean to tune in to the archives? How is trans kinship built across time and space? And how can revisiting these frequencies help us imagine new futures?
Listen to Kindred Transmissions anywhere you get your podcasts, and discover the wisdom, resilience, and revolutionary magic of trans people past and present.
Kindred Transmissions by the Digital Transgender Archive
I Like to Hear My Voice: On Red Jordan Arobateau with Daniela Valdes
This week on Kindred Transmissions, we tune into the fierce, unapologetic voice of Red Jordan Arobateau—author, poet, playwright, and visual artist. A self-published force of nature, Red created a vast body of work centering Black, brown, and queer lives, including over 80 literary works and 60 paintings.
In Episode 2, “I Like to Hear My Voice,” host and historian Jules Gill-Peterson is joined by historian Daniela Valdes to explore Red’s life and legacy through rare archival recordings. We hear Red reading his own poetry and erotica, as well as delivering a striking city hall testimony on housing justice and survival.
It’s powerful to hear Red’s voice at different stages of his life—not only does his writing evolve, but his vocal presence transforms too. These recordings document transition as both a personal journey and a political reality, reminding us that gender, labor, and art are deeply intertwined.
This episode contains mentions of self-harm, sex, and sexuality.
Find the archival materials mentioned in the episode at the Digital Transgender Archive website.
This episode of Kindred Transmissions is produced by Umi Hsu and Associate Producer Shei Yu. Hosted by Jules Gill-Peterson. Mixed by Evan Ibarra. Scripted by Umi Hsu and Shei Yu. Theme and episode music by Imogen Teasley-Vlautin. Research by Rachael McIntosh. Graphic Design by Ariel Huang.
This episode contains the voices of Red Jordan Arobateau and Daniela Valdes.
This season of Kindred Transmissions is made possible by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources and support from Northeastern University.