Our collections
60 years+ of activism. 120 years+ of research.
We preserve original documents recording the history of pioneering activists, community leaders, and researchers who have contributed to the betterment of Trans+ people. We are accessible to everyone, free of charge.
Our records:
- span over 160 meters or 530 linear feet (1.5 football fields long),
- go back over 120 years, and
- are in 15 languages from 23 countries on six continents.
What we hold:
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Aiyyana Maracle
Aiyyana Maracle (1950-2016) was an Indigenous artist, scholar, educator, story-crafter and storyteller from Six Nations territory on the Grand River.
Ariadne Kane
Ariadne Kane (1936-) founded the Human Outreach and Achievement Institute and Fantasia Fair, the oldest and longest-running event of its kind.
barbara findlay
barbara findlay, Q.C., is a Vancouver-based lesbian feminist lawyer. findlay represented Kimberley Nixon in her BC Court of Appeal case against Vancouver Rape Relief Society (1995-2007).
Fantasia Fair
Fantasia Fair started in 1975 in Provincetown, MA, and continues to this day. It provides an open and tolerant space for Trans+ people to learn about themselves.
IFGE
International Foundation for Gender Education was a non-profit advocacy org. founded in 1986 by Merissa Sherrill Lynn (1942-2017). It promoted understanding of transgender people.
Reed Erickson
Reed Erickson (1917-1992) founded and funded the Erickson Educational Foundation (1964-1984), the Homophile organization ONE Inc., and many other educational initiatives.
Rikki Swin
Rikki Swin (1947-) founded the Rikki Swin Institute (2001-2004), which promoted gender education and research, and housed a library and archives.
Stephanie Castle & Zenith
Stephanie Castle (1925-2017) was a Vancouver-based author and activist, and founder of the Zenith Foundation and Zenith Digest. She wrote about transsexualism and related issues.
University of Ulster TGA
University of Ulster Trans-Gender Archive (UK) was founded in 1986 by Richard Ekins. It was the first such collection in the world to be housed within a University setting.
Virginia Prince
Virginia Prince (1912-2009), was an activist who founded Transvestia magazine, which became the first widely distributed magazine focused on the Trans+ community.
Other collections
In addition to our larger collections, the Transgender Archives is the proud home of numerous smaller and important collections.
More to come!
Our collections continue to grow! Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to be alerted when new materials are added to the Transgender Archives.