Trans+ History Week and QueerAF announce 2025 workbook showcasing hidden Trans+ stories

Trans+ History Week CIC and QueerAF have announced the launch of their highly anticipated downloadable Workbook, a resource aimed at highlighting and celebrating overlooked histories within the Trans+ community. Developed through over 80 hours of research spearheaded by Gray Burke-Stowe, the workbook seeks to challenge harmful narratives surrounding Trans+ identities as presented in politics, media, and society.

It is part of Trans+ History Week's commitment to reclaim the rich, often ignored history of transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse, and intersex people. Given the alarming rise in anti-LGBTQ+ violence—evident through a staggering 503% increase in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in the UK since 2011 and a 72% surge in suicide attempts among trans minors in the US—the launch of the workbook comes at a critical time.

In 2024 alone, more than 350 Trans+ people were reported murdered worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for initiatives like this. To combat these damaging narratives, Trans+ History Week partnered with the award-winning independent publisher QueerAF, which also funded and mentored four talented Trans+ writers - Adam Khan, Ella Osho, William Elisabeth Cuthbert, and Sabah Choudrey - to curate the workbook's impactful lessons.

The workbook includes four vital lessons, each enriched by historical context:

1. “We’ve always been here”: Highlighting the significance of the Māhū people in Hawai’ian and Tahitian culture.
2. “We can’t be erased”: Emphasizing the identity and resilience found within ballroom culture.
3. “We’re stronger together”: Recognizing Lynn Conway's contributions to technology and community solidarity.
4. “We’re more than Trans+”: Celebrating Roberta Cowell, an RAF pilot and businessman who advanced Trans+ rights post-WWII.

Marty Davies, founder of Trans+ History Week CIC, described the workbook as a crucial artifact of the organization. “It’s never been more important to share the truth that ‘we’ve always been here and always will be’ to dismantle the myth that we’re new,” noted Davies. “Trans+ individuals are as enduring as the sun in the sky and the earth beneath our feet.”

Jamie Wareham, founder of QueerAF CIC, spoke about the importance of community representation in storytelling. “It’s vital to invest in talent from the communities you are creating content about,” he stated, adding that the unique perspectives offered by the mentored writers enriched the educational value of the workbook.

Last year, the Workbook inspired the participation of various organizations, including Warner Bros. Discovery and Hackney Museum, in events celebrating Trans+ history. With this latest edition, Trans+ History Week is set to empower even more people to reclaim and share their unique stories.

Trans+ History Week will run from May 5 to May 11, 2025, with the official Trans+ History Day on May 6. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the millennia-old history of Trans+, non-binary, and intersex people through various events and exhibitions.

myGwork is a proud supporter of Trans+ History Week, aligning with efforts to encourage inclusivity and celebrate the contributions of Trans+ people to society.

Click here to download the Workbook.