Launching across major UK cities, the ‘Always been here’ campaign highlights centuries of trans+ contributions with bold advertisements, challenging historical erasure during Trans+ History Week 5-11 May.
A new campaign has been launched to commemorate Trans+ History Week, which takes place from 5 to 11 May, aiming to highlight the historical significance of trans+ individuals and their contributions throughout history. Titled “Always been here,” the campaign features a range of press advertisements and posters that will be displayed in major cities across the UK, including Coventry, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, and Manchester.
The campaign was developed through a collaborative effort led by Smarty Pants Consultancy and Uncharted Studio. The creative team behind the initiative consists of Alice Rotelli, Lex Di Benedetto, Ant Jackson, Aidan Lee, and Giulia Boccali, who have crafted visually striking and thought-provoking content intended to resonate with the public.
Among the campaign’s notable advertisements is one featuring a photograph of Big Ben, accompanied by the caption: “Been making noise longer than Big Ben.” Another ad showcases the Lady Godiva statue in Coventry, with the text: “Long before Lady Godiva’s ride we bravely lived our naked truth.” Additionally, the campaign spotlights Lynn Conway, a renowned computer scientist and trans activist, with the message: “We made mobile phones possible. Lynn Conway pioneered the technology that allowed for microchips to be made small enough to fit in your pocket. Always been here, always will be.”
To ensure the messaging was authentic and resonant, the Diversity Standards Collective conducted extensive research involving over 100 individuals from the trans+ community. This input was used to refine the campaign’s creative direction and messaging.
Marty Davies, founder and chief executive of Trans+ History Week, as well as the driving force behind Smarty Pants Consultancy, articulated the mission of the campaign, stating, “Making our history visible is a radical act. For so long, our stories have been hidden or distorted. This campaign changes that. It puts our truth in the spotlight – on billboards, in print, and in spaces that have historically excluded us. It’s a reminder that trans+ people are not a trend. We are a fact of human history.”
Media support for the campaign has been generously provided by prominent organisations, including JCDecaux, Clear Channel, Ocean, Open Media UK, the Financial Times, Metro, The Guardian, and Reach. Additionally, media coordination has been executed by Havas Media Network, Talon, and Publicis Groupe UK.
Laura Jordan Bambach, chief creative officer at Uncharted Studio, emphasised the intent behind the campaign, saying, “The creative campaign cements trans history as something which is as old as time. This wasn’t about rainbow-washing, but honouring stories that span millennia, using bold visuals and confident, declarative language to give these histories the platform they deserve. The creative treatment had to match the depth and dignity of the stories being told.”
With broad city visibility and support from major institutions, the “Always been here” campaign aims to shine a light on the longstanding presence and contributions of trans+ individuals in society, marking an important moment during Trans+ History Week.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.wearequeeraf.com/always-been-here-always-will-trans-history-week-campaign/ – This article discusses the launch of the ‘Always Been Here’ campaign by QueerAF and Trans+ History Week, highlighting its aim to educate and celebrate the rich history of transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse, and intersex individuals in the UK.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/05/06/trans-history-week-marty-davies/ – An interview with Marty Davies, founder of Trans+ History Week, emphasizing the campaign’s mission to make trans+ history visible and challenge misconceptions about the community’s existence.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/05/06/trans-history-week-billboard-london-manchester-newcastle/ – Details about the large, vertical billboards featuring the ‘Always Been Here. Always Will Be.’ message, displayed in cities like Manchester, Liverpool, London, and Newcastle, promoting Trans+ History Week.
- https://www.creativebrief.com/bite/voices/trans-history-week-campaign-celebrates-trans-stories – An overview of the campaign’s creative approach, featuring powerful messages and QR codes linking to official content, aiming to showcase the positive impact of trans+ individuals throughout history.
- https://apnews.com/article/951e1378c257bda707224686bebb0507 – An obituary for Lynn Conway, a renowned computer scientist and trans activist, highlighting her pioneering work in microchip technology and her significant contributions to the tech industry.
- https://www.wearequeeraf.com/always-been-here-queeraf-and-trans-history-weeks-immersive/ – Information about the immersive Trans+ history experience at Outernet London, part of the ‘Always Been Here’ campaign, featuring art by trans+ artists and stories from trans+ history.
- https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/trans+-history-week-launches-campaign-put-truth-spotlight/1916593 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The campaign coincides with Trans+ History Week (5-11 May), confirming current relevance. Organisational changes or role updates were not detected, and the narrative does not appear recycled.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Marty Davies’ and Laura Jordan Bambach’s quotes align with campaign messaging but could not be independently verified online. However, their roles as campaign leaders suggest authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
Narrative originates from Campaign UK, a specialist marketing publication. Collaborators include respected agencies (Havas, Publicis) and media partners (Financial Times, Guardian), enhancing credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims about Lynn Conway’s contributions to microchip technology and community-led research (100+ participants) are verifiable through historical records and standard consultation practices.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The campaign demonstrates strong temporal relevance, credible partnerships, and plausible historical claims. Quotes align with leadership roles, though direct verification remains limited.
