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.
Red Jordan Arobateau
Red Jordan Arobateau (1943-2021) was an American author, poet, playwright, and visual artist. Arobateau has produced over 60 paintings and 80 literary works.
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.
Ariadne Kane
Ariadne Kane (1936-) founded the Human Outreach and Achievement Institute and Fantasia Fair, the oldest and longest-running event of its kind.