The transgender pilot who survived the Nazis and set racing records

QueerAF Podcast: Season Six, Episode Twelve – Roberta Cowell, or Betty might have been born into a strict, religious family - but her history, is one with many lessons. She shows us that Trans+ people are more than just their identity. That Trans+ people deserve to tell their own stories. That, as Sabah Choudrey wrote in this year’s Trans+ History Week workbook lesson about her - “while positive trans representation matters, you don’t need to see yourself represented to know that you can live authentically, and be trans, happy and celebrated.” It’s time for the final episode of Season 6 of the QueerAF podcast, once again with Trans+ History Week - listen now in your podcast app

The history lesson we never had

Season six of the QueerAF podcast has been made with six Trans+ creatives who have been paid, mentored, and supported by the not-for-profit publisher QueerAF to make a show. Each creative has also been given equipment to make the show, which they can keep forever, as part of an initiative to help more Trans+ creatives break into and succeed in the audio industry.

Delve deeper into Roberta Cowell's story in the Trans+ History Week workbook 2025, or download it in full for a profile of Charlie Martin too.

We’re more than Trans+ as WW2 pilot Roberta Cowell shows us

Roberta, or Betty as she was also known, showed an early interest in mechanics and racing.

QueerAFQueerAF

QueerAF members can log in to listen ad-free ⬇️

Behind the scenes, QueerAF's podcast is way more than about creating delightful sounds for your ears. The project is signposted by industry leaders and diversity initiatives because we help under-represented queer voices build media, audio and podcast careers.

QueerAF memberships helps to directly fund the emerging LGBTQIA+ creatives we mentor - and the next series of the podcast. It lets us give them that crucial kickstart to their exciting career ahead.

Sign up or login now, to listen ad-free: