Rupert Raj’s Written Acts of Activism and Care Throughout the 1980s and 1990s

In researching acts of activism and care in Canadian queer and trans racialized history, I examined how Rupert Raj advocated and cared for other trans individuals through his writing in the 1980s and 1990s. He noticed that there were few publications for trans individuals so he created easily accessible methods to share vital information regarding research and support that would have otherwise been difficult to acquire. Raj’s writings shared vital transgender research, literature, and expertise from across the globe. He provided critical support to and for other trans men through his easily accessible publications and letters, serving as an information broker between the medical/psychological community and trans individuals and their loved ones. Through seeking out trans information around the world, creating a board of trans scholars, and sharing what he learned through his organisations and newsletters, Rupert Raj disseminated essential knowledge that allowed trans individuals to feel confident and safer. As best illustrated by the letters from and surrounding David Liebman, Raj’s activism nurtured an ostracized community.