At a time when diversity and inclusion budgets are being slashed but media stoking hate is making showing up more important than ever, Trans+ History Week is welcoming support from headline sponsors, Clifford Chance, Verizon Business and sponsors, Reddit, Deloitte UK and NQ64.

Trans+ History Week is a new week-long calendar moment designed to celebrate the momentous achievements and illustrious history of transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people. The week of the 6th to 12th of May will see content and events celebrating the Trans+ community.

Amid conversations around brands slashing DEI budgets and failing to speak out due to a fear of backlash, support from corporate organisaitons, Clifford Chance, Verizon Business, Reddit and NQ64 is a welcome addition and sign of allyship. With media hostility stoking the fires of culture wars and hate crime on the rise, brands risk burying their heads in the sand. An ecosystem which has made developing sponsorships for LGBTQIA+ initiative increasingly difficult.

To mark the week, Trans+ History Week is hosting a flagship community event on Tuesday 7th May which will be headline sponsored by Clifford Chance and Verizon Business. The event includes a live episode recording of the QueerAF podcast on the history-making TV representation in Sex Education featuring stars from the show and a panel discussion and Q&A on the future of trans+ rights.

Deloitte UK will sponsor a Transcending Words Poetry Night at The Common Press Bookshop.

The calendar event has been founded by Marty Davies (she/they), Founder of Smarty Pants consultancy and Joint CEO of Outvertising and acts as a launchpad project of QueerAF. The award-winning independent platform is a not-for-profit publisher renowned for launching the careers of emerging and underrepresented LGBTQIA+ creatives.

On May 6th, QueerAF CIC and Trans+ History Week CIC will be releasing commissioned content from 20+ trans+ emerging and marginalised creatives that reflect on history and learnings from the present to shape a better future. The content will be available on QueerAF and includes 7 collaborative articles with accompanying illustrations and a 6 episode podcast series.

“We are honoured to be part of this event as we recognise the importance of acknowledging and understanding the rich history and contributions of the trans and non-binary community. This support is a testament to our dedication to promote equality, both within our firm and the wider community. We believe that engaging with and supporting such events can help to educate and inspire, fostering a culture of inclusivity that benefits everyone,” says Jen Longstaff, Arcus UK Co-Chair the Clifford Chance LGBTQ+ network.

The initiative is also supported by some of the UK’s largest LGBTQIA+ and Trans+ organisations, including Stonewall, Gendered Intelligence, Not A Phase, LGBT Foundation, London Trans+ Pride UK Black Pride, DIVA, Queer Britain, Hidayah LGBT and Just Like Us.