This new toolkit tells stories from the UK, US, Uganda and Japan
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY QUEERAF AND TRANS+ HISTORY WEEK
Ahead of LGBT+ History Month, Trans+ History Week (THW) has launched the 2026 edition of its history workbook. This free toolkit will provide readers with a rich and detailed understanding of different trans+ people and groups from history.
Produced by QueerAF, who mentored five trans+ writers and researchers as part of this year’s edition, this workbook will feature trans+ stories from history that span the UK, US, Uganda and Japan. THW will take place between 4 and 10 May 2026.
Marty Davies (she/they), founder of THW, said: “The UK enters this LGBT+ History Month marking a new historical milestone: The biggest backslide in Trans+ rights and safety ever in the UK. It’s been fuelled by cruel and dishonest rhetoric — but that rhetoric that crumbles in the face of facts and history, which show that we’ve always been here and always will be, overcoming resistance and repression time and time again. It is the fact of our expansive humanity that this workbook brings to life.”
This year’s workbook features four key lessons to impart to readers, anchored on historical figures or moments. From pre-colonial trans+ identities of Lango in Uganda and beyond, THW hopes to remind readers that trans+ people have always been here. From Japan’s transmasculine communities, a message that we can’t be erased. Looking at figures like Miss Major, THW aims to remind us that we are stronger together. And in understanding more about figures like Charles Hamilton, THW’s goal is to remind us that “we’re more than Trans+”.
2026 marks the third annual THW, a testament to the power of telling trans+ stories. Marty Davies founded THW after learning about the 1933 Nazi raid and public book burning that took place at the world’s first trans+ clinic. This raid took place on 6 May, which is now marked as Trans+ History Day.
The 2026 workbook was led by Gray Burke-Stowe (he/him) and written by Nisreen Fox (they/she), Kat Joplin (they/them), Ella Osho (she/her) and William Elisabeth Cuthbert (they/he). This workbook was powered by DIVA Charitable Trust and launched at a hybrid event hosted at Allianz Commercial yesterday (26 January).
Marie-Helene Tyack, Chair of the Board of Trustees, DIVA Charitable Trust, said: “DIVA has always been inclusive of Trans+ stories and we believe that this initiative is crucial in fostering understanding, inclusivity and respect for the wonderfully rich narratives within the Trans+ community. By supporting this workbook, DIVA Charitable Trust is taking a meaningful step in building a more informed and compassionate society where everyone’s story is valued and celebrated.”
THW garnered support from 69 MPs in an early day motion recognising the week in 2025.
You can download the THW workbook now.
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