Keep

TRANS STORIES

Alive

The ArQuives collects, preserves, and shares the experiences of LGBTQ2+ people across Canada.

We stand with trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people.

In the context of growing anti-LGBTQ2+ hate in Canada, especially toward trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people, we work to support our communities’ rights, including the right to freely express, celebrate, and share our lived experiences and stories.

Under the guise of protecting children, ultra-conservative groups are launching regressive legislation and nationwide events that aim to silence the voices and experiences of trans and non-binary youth. They wish to remove the education policies designed to protect LGBTQ2+ youth and foster inclusive learning environments.

As Canada’s LGBTQ2+ archives, The ArQuives shines a spotlight on trans and non-binary lives and stories to be valued and celebrated.

Our stories will never be silenced.

#KeepTRANSStoriesAlive
#KeepTRANSStoriesAlive
#KeepTRANSStoriesAlive
#KeepTRANSStoriesAlive

Trans Collections Guide

The ArQuives created the first-ever Trans Collections Guide (2020), offering researchers much-needed insight into The ArQuives’ extensive trans-related holdings. Collections Guides like this one will grow as more people access the collection and add their own trans and gender-diverse stories to The ArQuives.

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Digital Exhibitions

Gendertrash: transexual zine

1993-1995

Image of original artwork by Marie Alexandra which appeared on page 2 of gendertrash #4.gendertrash is a zine/periodical “devoted to the issues & concerns of transsexuals.” Its four issues were published by Mirha-Soleil Ross and Xanthra Phillippa MacKay in Toronto from 1993-1995.

Oral History of Trans Health Care Activism in Ontario

1998 – 2008

This oral history project conducted in 2016, focuses on the 1998 delisting and 2008 re-listing of coverage for gender confirmation surgery under Ontario’s health care plan. Postdoctoral fellow NM conducted 8 interviews with 7 activists, community members, and politicians who shared rich reflections about their work and engagement with the trans community, as well as with policy-makers and government institutions.

Rupert Raj and Trans Activism

1971 – 1990

This digital exhibition is designed to highlight Rupert Raj’s work as an important trans activist whose papers are held by The ArQuives. Highlights of this donation include materials relating to the three trans-related publications Raj founded and edited in the 1980s; correspondence with other trans people, medical professionals, and activists; research on phalloplasty and other trans issues; personal scrapbooks and photographs; books and AV materials.

Educational Resources

Our Education Resources were developed and crafted to support educators in incorporating queer and trans perspectives into Grade 9-12 English and History curricula.

2SLGBTQIA+ School Advocacy

2SLGBTQIA+ School Advocacy was developed as a companion resource to Become 2SLGBTQIA+ Literate after The ArQuives received feedback from educators wanting additional information on 2SLGBTQIA+ policy development.

2SLGBTQIA+ Stories

2SLGBTQIA+ Stories was first developed and piloted by The ArQuives in 2021 to support educators in incorporating queer and trans perspectives into Grade 9-12 English and History curricula.

Become 2SLGBTQIA+ Literate

Become 2SLGBTQIA+ Literate was developed and crafted to support educator learning, as educators bring queer and trans perspectives and history into classrooms.