"Drawing inspiration from the ancient Neapolitan figure of the femminiello, a revered presence considered spiritually favourable, TRA pays homage to locals who live outside binary gender expectations.
The word 'tra,' Italian for a state of being between, among and within, speaks in this work to an energetic space where masculine and feminine converge and dissolve, and categories blur into something more elemental. While dual-spirited identities have often been acknowledged in male-assigned bodies, female-born expressions of gender variance have historically been dismissed or disparaged, often carrying cultural and class-based stigma. This body of work includes 'masculille' in an attempt to reclaim that space with dignity."
@butchfemmelove 's photoessay 'TRA' is featured in Autostraddle Issue 02, now available at the link in our bio.
CREDITS:
This work is a Jerwood Photoworks Commission
Photo Essay by Roman Manfredi (
@butchfemmelove )
PARTICIPANTS:
Leila, Cira, Jelecrois, Dario, Soraia, Patty, Mena, CiroCiretta, Sara, Nunzia.
TOUR DATES:
7 May 2026 - 4 July: Ffotogallery (Cardiff)
12 September - 20 December: Street Level Photoworks (Glasgow)
