AI Usage Disclosure: Jenn Burleton utilized ChatGPT 5.2 to generate initial historical and chronological context and content, as well as to summarize background literature, during the preparation of this work. The AI-generated content was reviewed, edited, and verified by the author, who takes full responsibility for the final content and accuracy of this publication.
No confidential or protected data was input into the AI tool.
AI prompt (January 3, 2026): “What is the oldest known record of human gender diverse identity or expression?”
AI prompt (January 3, 2026): “When did modern support and advocacy for gender-diverse adults and children begin?”
Modern support and advocacy for gender-diverse adults began in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with organized scientific and legal defense, most notably through Magnus Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Science (1919–1933). Mass public and grassroots civil rights advocacy emerged between the 1950s and 1970s.
In contrast, modern, organized, cisgender parent-led support for gender-diverse children and their families did not emerge until the mid-1990s, with the 1995 formation of Mermaids in the United Kingdom.
Sustained, trans-led youth and family advocacy only emerged in the mid-2000s.
AI prompt (January 3, 2026):
“What was the first organization led by a transgender person to advocate for trans children, youth, and their families?“
“The earliest known organization led by a transgender person whose explicit mission was advocacy and support for transgender children, youth, and their families is TransActive Education & Advocacy.”
Most of these documents and other records were saved and compiled by Jenn Burleton and others contemporaneously at the time the events occurred.
In some instances, this content was later retrieved using Internet search tools and research conducted with the assistance of ChatGPT 5.2. All content included as the result of AI bot prompts is identified as such, and has been independently verified using other sources.
“What was the first all-transgender led transgender child and family organization?”
“The earliest documented organization that both (a) served transgender children and their families and (b) was led entirely by transgender people is TransActive Gender Center (originally TransActive Gender Project), founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2007.”
This combination – trans children + families served, with governance and leadership by trans adults is the critical differentiator.
By 2007, TransActive Education & Advocacy existed as a purpose-built organization serving transgender/gender-diverse children, youth, and their families, and later funder reporting describes it as transgender-founded and led.
