Históricas is a visual project born from a shared dream between Mauricio Holc and Héctor Villalobos to collaborate with the historic travesti and trans women of the Archivo de la Memoria Trans Argentina (AMT), whose work and legacy they deeply admire and love.
The project recognizes that the identity-building journeys, struggles, and desires of younger generations are profoundly inspired by Argentina’s older travesti and trans community. Through its publications and actions, the Archive has illuminated paths of queer joy and hope, envisioning an Argentina that is less binary and less hidden—one that acknowledges its own history and dares to retell and reimagine it.
“A historical archive helps us know, understand, and confirm the truth of events that shape our collective memory. Marcela, Teté, Mychel, Sonia, and Mónica represent a living archive—filled with memories and images from a time they managed to survive.”
These women are part of the Archivo de la la Memoria Trans Argentina, a space dedicated to preserving, protecting, and honoring trans memory—a mission more vital today than ever. The Archive serves both as a repository of remembrance and a gathering place for women who once led the early fight for rights and visibility.
In a country where the average life expectancy for a trans woman is just 35 years, the power of these portraits lies not only in the images but in the vitality of their voices, smiles, and gazes. Each tells a story that is both raw and luminous—a testament to survival, dignity, and tenderness.
As structural violence intensifies against the most vulnerable, protecting our Históricas becomes essential. They are the bearers of resistance—those who remain and those who were lost. To celebrate them is to honor their legacy, recognize their contribution to a fairer and more inclusive society, and uphold their struggles as beacons in an era marked by denial and individualism.
@2014 MHolcPhotography
In 2025, the Comprehensive Gender Identity Law, passed in 2012, faces threats from new public policies and rising social hostility. Argentina’s history is complex, but for the trans community, it has been especially painful. Portraying them, then, is not only an act of commemoration but also one of justice, celebration, and reparation.
May a bright blue sky forever lift them up, and may their strong, living, unyielding faces continue to light the way.
HISTORICAL REPARATION NOW!
About the Archivo de la Memoria Trans Argentina
Founded in 2012 in exile by trans activist María Belén Correa, coinciding with the passage of Argentina’s Gender Identity Law, the Archivo de la Memoria Trans Argentina (AMT) began as a virtual meeting place for trans and travesti survivors scattered across the world.
What started as an online exchange of memories, photos, letters, and police records soon grew into a full archival project. In 2014, with the help of visual artist Cecilia Estalles, the AMT began its ongoing work to safeguard and preserve community memory.
@2014 MHolcPhotography
Today, the Archive holds more than 15,000 documents from the early 20th century to the late 1990s—including photographs, films, audio recordings, press clippings, IDs, passports, letters, police files, magazine articles, and personal diaries.
Its mission is to collect, protect, and amplify the life stories of Argentina’s trans community, while its vision is to serve as a collective memory and documentary reference for trans identities worldwide.
The AMT’s documentary ethics are rooted in the fight against transphobia, the promotion of education and socio-labor inclusion, and the denunciation of all forms of institutional or social violence. It also functions as a cooperative space where artists, activists, archivists, journalists, historians, curators, and educators come together.Artists, researchers, and educators collaborate to develop new projects using a variety of languages and disciplines. The current team consists of: MarÃa Belén Correa, Cecilia Estalles, Carola Figueredo, Teté Vega, Luis Juárez, Sonia Beatriz Torrese, Carolina Nastri, Marina Cisneros, Katiana Villagra, Iris Kaufman, Luciana Leiras, Marcela Navarro, Mychel Aguilera, Lina Etchesuri, SofÃa Naara, Alejandro Correa, Muriel Bruschi, and Mónica del Valle Arancibia.
In the last ten years, the Archive has released many books and fanzines, distributed across Argentina, Latin America, and beyond. Its members have taken part in exhibitions, talks, and conferences worldwide, inspiring the formation of other trans archives globally and providing an example of collective care and historical healing.
CREDITS
Creative Direction & Photography: @mholcph @lavariantechola
Cast: Marcela Navarro, Sonia Hernández, Teté Vega, Mychel Aguilera, Mónica del Valle
Styling & Art Direction: @santiagomunozgamboa
Styling Assistants: @lu_bianchi @branheredia
Makeup / Assistant: @junirib @saralamberti__
Hair & Wigs / Assistant: @petraparaquett @alejomoises_
Production: Mauricio Holc / La Variante Chola / Santiago Muñoz
Production Assistant: @soljanik
Catering: Adriana
Photography Assistant / Backstage: @pabloliviero_
Históricas text: @elcasomarinapeque
Special thanks to the Archivo de la Memoria Trans Argentina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Históricas by Mauricio Holc and Héctor Villalobos designed to be clear helpful and cover a range of topics
General Beginner Questions
1 What is Históricas
Históricas is a series of historical comic books written by Mauricio Holc and illustrated by Héctor Villalobos It focuses on telling the stories of important and often overlooked women from Latin American history
2 Whats the main goal of the series
The main goal is to make history more engaging and accessible while highlighting the crucial roles women have played in shaping Latin America correcting the historical record which has often marginalized them
3 Do I need to be a history expert to enjoy it
Not at all The series is designed for everyone The comic book format makes the stories easy to follow and understand even if youre new to the historical topics
4 Who are these comics for
They are perfect for students history enthusiasts comic book fans educators looking for classroom resources and anyone interested in stories about powerful and influential women
Content Characters
5 Which historical figures are featured
The series covers a diverse range of women such as Juana Azurduy Macacha Gemes and others like Mariquita Sánchez and Camila OGorman
6 Are the stories completely accurate
The comics are based on thorough historical research but they use narrative and artistic techniques to bring the stories to life They aim for historical truth while making the events compelling and dramatic
7 Is the series only available in Spanish
Yes as it is created by Argentine authors for a Latin American audience the primary language of publication is Spanish
Benefits Usage
8 How can Históricas be used in education
They are excellent educational tools Teachers can use them to spark interest in history provide a visual representation of past events and promote discussions about gender politics and social roles in history
9 What are the main benefits of reading Históricas
You get to learn about fascinating reallife heroines in an entertaining way gain a more inclusive perspective on Latin American history and develop a greater appreciation for the