In an era where the existence and rights of transgender people are increasingly debated, understanding our history is more than an academic exercise—it's an act of resistance. A new, free workbook from Trans+ History Week offers a vital resource for anyone looking to connect with the deep, global roots of the trans community.
A Journey Through Time and Across Continents
Released ahead of the annual Trans+ History Week (4-10 May 2026), the downloadable workbook is designed as a toolkit for education and empowerment. It moves beyond well-trodden narratives to present a truly international perspective on gender diversity. The guide is structured into four compelling lessons:
- We’ve always been here: This section explores pre-colonial trans identities, such as the recognised third gender of the mudoko dako in Uganda, highlighting how colonial powers often erased rich histories of gender diversity.
- We can’t be erased: Journey to Japan to learn about the transmasculine communities that have thrived underground for decades, building resilience against social and legal pressures.
- We’re stronger together: Before Stonewall, there was Compton's Cafeteria. This lesson traces the long history of collective resistance and community care in San Francisco, connecting it to the legacy of icons like Miss Major.
- We’re more than Trans+: The workbook challenges the idea that trans identity is a modern concept by looking at historical figures like Charles Hamilton, who was publicly labelled a “female husband” in 1746, demonstrating that our fight for recognition is centuries old.
Born from a Painful Past
The inspiration for Trans+ History Week itself is a poignant piece of European history. Founder Marty Davies established the event after discovering the full story behind the infamous Nazi book burnings. On May 6, 1933, the Nazis ransacked Berlin's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft (Institute of Sexual Science)—the world's first trans+ clinic—and destroyed its priceless library and research.
This act of violent erasure, aimed at wiping out knowledge of gender and sexual diversity, is now commemorated as Trans+ History Day on May 6th. The workbook serves as a direct counter-narrative, rebuilding and sharing the very knowledge that fascists sought to destroy.
A Tool to Fight Misinformation
The creators see this workbook not just as a history lesson, but as a crucial tool in today's political climate. "It’s been fuelled by cruel and dishonest rhetoric – but that rhetoric that crumbles in the face of facts and history," said founder Marty Davies. "It is the fact of our expansive humanity that this workbook brings to life.”
Jamie Wareham, founder of QueerAF CIC, which helped produce the resource, added that a better understanding of history is a "critical lesson for policymakers," helping to ground today's discussions in knowledge rather than fear.
The 2026 workbook is available for free download and is designed for use in classrooms, community groups, or for personal learning. It provides discussion prompts and guidance to help facilitate conversations about our rich, diverse, and resilient past.
You can download the free workbook here.
