As the UK marks Trans+ History Week this May, a powerful new resource has been launched to uncover and amplify the often-overlooked stories of transgender and non-binary people throughout history. Developed by the team at QueerAF in collaboration with Trans+ History Week CIC, the new downloadable workbook aims to reshape how we understand and teach the history of gender diversity — not as a modern development, but as a timeless and global reality.
The 2025 workbook, launched under the theme “We Were Always Here”, provides educators, students, and allies with a rich collection of historical narratives, discussion guides, and creative prompts. It includes stories from across continents and centuries — from the Māhū of Hawai’i and fa'afafine of Samoa, to the role of trans people in ballroom culture and resistance movements.
This timely release has been welcomed as a crucial tool for visibility, empowerment, and education — especially amid ongoing challenges to the rights and recognition of trans individuals in the UK and beyond.
“History Has Always Been Queer”
Jamie Wareham, founder of QueerAF and co-organiser of Trans+ History Week, said the initiative was born from a desire to create meaningful change in how trans people are seen and understood in society.
“The idea that gender diversity is a new or Western phenomenon is simply not true,” Wareham said. “This workbook is our response to the erasure of trans and non-binary stories from mainstream historical narratives. It’s about showing that history has always been queer — and that our ancestors lived full, vibrant, gender-diverse lives long before the terminology we use today even existed.”
Wareham added that the resource was built on more than 80 hours of research, interviews, and community consultation. “We wanted to create something that isn’t just educational — it’s celebratory. It’s a reclaiming of stories that were either forgotten or forcibly hidden.”
Inside the Workbook
The 60-page digital workbook, available for free download on the Trans+ History Week website, is divided into four sections:
- Global Gender Histories – exploring the lives and roles of gender-diverse people across cultures.
- The UK’s Hidden Figures – shining a light on British trans pioneers, including campaigners, artists, and everyday people who made history in quiet but profound ways.
- Creative Reflections – offering poetry, art prompts, and journaling pages to encourage personal engagement with the material.
- Educational Tools – lesson plans and discussion questions designed for schools, universities, and workplaces.
Contributors to the project include writers, researchers, trans elders, and young creatives — ensuring an intergenerational and intersectional perspective.
“This is not just a history lesson,” said co-editor Nia Clarke, a trans writer and educator. “It’s a reminder that we belong, that we’ve always belonged, and that we deserve to see ourselves reflected in the stories we tell about the world.”
A Week of Action and Reflection
Trans+ History Week, taking place from 13 to 19 May 2025, is a grassroots campaign that began in the UK in 2023 and has since grown into a nationwide moment of visibility, remembrance, and pride. This year’s theme focuses on “Reclaiming Our Roots”, with events taking place in schools, museums, libraries, and online platforms across the UK.
Organisers say the aim is to give people space to explore how the past shapes the present — and to inspire a more inclusive future.
Scheduled events include:
- A virtual lecture on the legacy of Roberta Cowell, the first known British trans woman to undergo gender affirmation surgery.
- A creative writing workshop led by Black trans poet Morgan M. Page.
- A panel discussion on trans representation in historical fiction, hosted by The British Library.
“Too often, trans people are spoken about only in the context of current debates or medical frameworks,” said Clarke. “This week is about shifting that narrative. We are more than policy subjects — we are storytellers, visionaries, and descendants of incredible legacies.”
Reactions from the Community
The launch of the workbook has been widely praised by activists, educators, and parents as a valuable contribution to inclusive education.
“Resources like this are essential,” said Leonie Adams, a secondary school teacher in Manchester who plans to use the workbook in her Year 10 PSHE class. “Trans students deserve to learn about themselves in a way that’s affirming, accurate, and empowering. And cis students need to understand that gender diversity isn’t new — it’s part of the human story.”
Several universities have also incorporated the resource into their equality and diversity programmes, including University College London and University of Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ youth charities such as Gendered Intelligence and Just Like Us have promoted the workbook across their networks as part of wider Pride Month education efforts.
Educational Push Amid Backlash
The release of the workbook and the broader Trans+ History Week campaign come at a time when trans rights and inclusion remain highly politicised in the UK. Recent court rulings and government debates have left many trans individuals feeling vulnerable and underrepresented.
Organisers say that’s all the more reason to focus on the power of education.
“When we understand that trans people have always existed — and thrived — across all cultures and eras, it becomes impossible to argue that our identities are unnatural or invalid,” said Wareham. “Education is the antidote to fear.”
He also noted that the workbook was designed to be accessible: “It’s free, it’s printable, and it doesn’t require formal training to use. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or just someone wanting to learn more, this resource is for you.”
Looking Ahead
QueerAF and Trans+ History Week CIC hope the 2025 workbook is just the beginning. Plans are already underway for future volumes, translated editions, and companion resources aimed at younger readers.
They are also calling for more support from educational authorities to incorporate gender-diverse histories into the national curriculum.
“Invisibility is a form of violence,” said Clarke. “When we tell our stories, we fight back. And when others learn our history, they join us in building a more compassionate world.”
The Trans+ History Week 2025 Workbook is available to download now at www.transhistoryweek.co.uk.
LGBTI News Desk