A new exhibition celebrating the lives and experiences of trans people is set to open at Queer Britain in London this week.
Trans Is Human, a collection of 13 black-and-white portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Mariano Vivanco, will be on display at the UK's national LGBTQ+ museum from 5 August - 29 November.
Created and produced by Jake and Hannah Graf, the exhibition aims to challenge negative portrayals of trans people and highlight the diversity of the UK's trans community through personal stories and striking imagery.
The project was conceived in response to what organisers describe as years of misinformation and hostility directed towards transgender people in the media and on social media platforms.
According to the creators, Trans Is Human seeks to "rewrite that narrative" by showcasing trans people beyond their gender identity and focusing on their lives, experiences and humanity.
Jake Graf, creator and producer of the exhibition, said the project comes at a critical moment for the trans+ community in the UK. "We have been fighting to hold onto our hard-won rights for over a decade and are now seeing those dramatically reversed," he said.
"Our hope is that Trans Is Human reminds people that we are much the same as them, just asking for the dignity, safety and acceptance afforded to everyone else."
The portraits were taken by Vivanco, whose work has appeared in publications including GQ and Rolling Stone and for brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Montblanc and Mugler.
The exhibition has been installed at Queer Britain, which organisers say provides an opportunity for visitors to celebrate transgender lives and experiences within a national LGBTQ+ cultural space.
Andrew Given, chief executive of Queer Britain, said the exhibition arrives as trans rights continue to be the subject of political and public debate. "From 2011 to 2015, the UK once led Europe in first place within the International Lesbian & Gay Association's Rainbow Map," he said.
"In 2026, the UK dropped to position 22 out of 49 European countries because of the treatment of trans people in law."
Given added that the exhibition's opening coincides with parliamentary discussions around the draft Conversion Practices Bill and the draft Equality and Human Rights Commission Code of Practice.
"Presenting Trans Is Human is vital now," he said. "It's important that Queer Britain insists that trans people are recognised with empathy and understanding as human beings within a diverse and vibrant community."
Queer Britain is open from Wednesday to Sunday between 12 - 6pm, with a series of evening "Museum Lates" events planned throughout the exhibition's run in August, September, October and November.
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