In this episode, Thomas takes us through the life and times of convicted swindler, Victor Barker. From his time in Holloway Prison to the sideshows of Blackpool and beyond, Barker insisted on maintaining a male identity throughout his adultlife despite often being described as a cross-dresser. This early-twentieth century trans-man was not an admirable character, but he was definitely an interesting one.

CW: This episode contains a brief mention of SA and domestic violence. 

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Sources:

Collis, Rose. Colonel Barker's Monstrous Regiment. A Tale of Female Husbandry. London: Virago, 2001.

Gottlieb, Julie V. Feminine Fascism: Women in Britain's Fascist Movement, 1923- 1945. London: Tauris Publishers, 2000.

Lemmey, Huw and Juliette Jacks. "Christmas Special: Colonel Victor Barker.” Bad Gays podcast. 25.12.2019.

Manion, Jen. "Female Husbands.A Trans History." Presentation for Cary Memorial Library. 2.9.21. Available on YouTube.

Pavda, Gilad. "Joseph/Josephine's Angst: Sensational Hermaphroditism in Tod Browning's Freaks." Social Semiotics 28, nr. 1 (2017): 1-17.

Portnoy, Edward A. "Freaks, Geeks, and Strongmen: Warsaw Jews and Popular Performance, 1912-1930." TDR: The Drama Review 50, nr. 2 (2006): 117-135.

Pugh,Vicki. “Problem Bodies and Sideshow Space: A Study of the Twentieth Century Sideshow in Blackpool. 1930-1940.” (PhD. diss., University of Sheffield, 2020).

Szoradova, P.E. “LGBTQ+ History: The Red Rose of Colonel Barker.” Blog post from The National Archives. 2.25.2029.