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Let History Say Thæ Exist

posted by Robyn Pitts September 26, 2023

Let History Say Thæ Exist introduces a solution for gender-inclusivity with the new letter, Æ, a universal option for use in gendered languages such as English, French, Italian, Spanish and German. Let History Say Thæ Exist is the very first artefact of its kind, created by gender non-conforming people using the letter Æ to ensure that they can write their experiences into history. Five GNC-supportive global organisations; Divergenres, Aunt Nell, Gender X, Utopia and WongDoody, have come together to collaborate on and launch an auxiliary Posterzine, available to the public in London and New York libraries, and to purchase worldwide.

In this pivotal chapter of history, where queer literature faces censorship, identities are relentlessly questioned, and human rights hang in the balance, it has become more critical than ever for non-binary, genderqueer, and intersex people to chronicle their own historical narratives. The Æ letter addresses this issue, specifically designed to provide gender-neutral options across multiple European language and brought to life in a way that positions it as an intrinsic part of the language people use daily.

With the Æ letter at their fingertips, individuals can no longer be written out of history. Unlike previous attempts to adapt words using characters such as *, @, or x, the Æ letter carries its own pronunciation, maintaining the integrity and richness of language. By avoiding dehumanising symbols commonly associated with offensive speech, society can elevate the power of inclusive expression.

The innovative letter, represented by a connected A + E, combines two vowels from the Latin script, establishing a historical precedent for inclusion. Available in Google Fonts and accompanied by a custom-designed keyboard, this initiative puts the power of expression directly into the hands of queer writers, politicians, journalists, and business leaders. Equipping gender non-conforming people with the means to document their own experiences ensures their erasure from the pages of history.

The limited edition Posterzine, Let History Say Thæ Exist, features the new letter Æ, and will be distributed in key EU and US cities for mainstream purchase. Copies of the edition will also be placed in London and New York public libraries, providing a tangible and easily accessible representation within century old institutions, where language reigns and words have the most impact.

The content showcases contributions from six gender non-conforming people and their allies in the written spaces, from arts to academia, focusing on the rewriting of their previous works using æ, aiming to inspire and educate readers on the power of inclusive language and ultimately, ensure that they are not written out of history.

Physical copies of Let History Say Thæ Exist are available to purchase here, and in vendors across the world including Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam, New York and London.