Trans History by Alex L Combs & Andrew Eakett

subtitled From Ancient Times To The Present Day. Because no, being trans is not a new thing, and it’s important that we not pretend that it is.

Y’all, I’m tired. Twelve days into the new year and I’m at the point where I can never know what new horrors to expect from this administration and the assholes who support them. I chase down news via BlueSky, one of the few social media sites that doesn’t discourage linking out to actual, credible sources (and that isn’t flooded with misinformation, yet and knock on wood.) I’ve built a reliable, manageable feed since moving there in late 2024, but lately it feels like a physical task just to open the app and catch up on the day’s events. I used to spend maybe twenty non-continuous minutes a day there, more if Arsenal was playing. That amount has increased significantly since January 3rd.

But I can’t not check in, because I don’t have the luxury right now of not paying close attention to the news. My country and the promises it stands for, the good things we do and the progress that we’ve made and continue to make, are in danger from the fascists in power. They’ve done so many awful and outright reprehensible things designed to make normal, decent people feel exponentially more powerless and scared than we did before. Instead of being able to just live my life, do my job, enjoy my hobbies and cherish my loved ones, I now have to do all of that IN SPITE of the ramped up climate of terror around me. It’s exhausting. I’m exhausted, and I’ll bet that, if you’re reading this, you are, too.

Which is why it’s so important to me to make sure I read books like this and talk about them, because the values of truth and diversity and inclusiveness are needed even more now than ever. Right-wing commentators will lie to you about trans people, they’ll lie to you about colonization, they’ll lie to you about the law, they’ll justify any cruelty to others, all to keep themselves feeling secure and in control. It’s more important then ever that we shore ourselves up with the truth, and the strength that that gives us to stand up for who we are and to push back against the people who want us dead because of how we look or who we consensually love.

Alex L Combs and Andrew Eakett are a trans couple who’ve taken on the formidable task of showcasing trans history in a way that’s respectful of the original cultures while showing that being trans is something that’s existed throughout recorded history all over the world. They’ve also worked hard on making this history accessible to readers by presenting it in the graphic novel format. They state up front that they’re not accredited historians, but they’ve certainly done the rigorous work of checking the facts while minimizing bias and harm. From the ancient world through the common era and to the medical advances of the 20th century and beyond, they present a clear-eyed view of notable figures, public reception and the cultural impact of what it meant and continues to mean to refuse to conform to binary genders. The book closes with the voices of contemporary trans people, in a sort of oral history that primarily showcases North American experiences.

It’s not a particularly easy book to get through, due to the subject matter alone. The authors have certainly done everything in their power to balance the weighty contents with illustrations, hope and the occasional use of humor where appropriate. They bring important aspects of history to life, reminding readers that trans people exist and matter and deserve to be able to live their lives just like anyone else. This volume is, perhaps, the least daunting take on a subject that needs to be widely and better understood, and I’m so grateful to the authors for creating it, and to everyone involved for making sure that it’s out here in the world.

Trans History by Alex L Combs & Andrew Eakett was published May 15 2025 by Candlewick Press and is available from all good booksellers, including