Trans people have always been here — across time, cultures, and borders. Yet, their stories are often left out of the history books. What we now call "trans history" is a tapestry of resilience, quiet revolution, and bold visibility. Understanding this past isn’t just about honoring those who came before us — it helps us understand the movements, rights, and challenges that shape trans lives today.
Trans Presence Through the Ages
Gender-diverse people have been recorded across continents long before Western language developed terms like “transgender.” From the revered Hijra in South Asia to the Two-Spirit people in many Indigenous North American nations, from the fa'afafine in Samoa to gender-diverse communities across Africa, history is rich with expressions beyond binary gender roles. These traditions remind us that trans and non-binary identities are not a new phenomenon — they are a natural part of human diversity.
