Lewis Hancox
A trans artist and filmmaker who turned his awkward teenage years into award-winning graphic novels and viral comedy.
Born 1989 (age 37)·English graphic novelist and filmmaker·Birthday: June 15·Millennials
Biography
Lewis Hancox published 'Welcome to St. Hell,' a graphic memoir shortlisted for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal and the British Book Awards. Born in 1989 in Staffordshire, he grew up transgender in the 2000s with little language for his experience. He first built an audience through viral sketch comedy on YouTube and TikTok, dissecting British life and queer identity. He co-founded My Genderation, a film project documenting authentic transgender stories. The graphic memoir uses a dual narrative: the teen Lewis who lived the events and the adult Lewis who guides him. The book turns his specific adolescence into a story of survival. Hancox continues to make films and comics that blend cringe humor with insight.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lewis was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lewis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Lewis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Authored the graphic memoir 'Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure,' which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
- Co-founded the documentary film project My Genderation, producing work for broadcasters like the BBC and Channel 4.
- Built a massive online following through original sketch comedy series on YouTube and TikTok.
Did You Know?
He initially gained an online following with comedy sketches about fictional Midlands town 'Fallowfields.'
Hancox is a passionate advocate for trans rights and frequently speaks in schools and at events.
He has directed and produced over 100 short documentary films through My Genderation.
“My comics are about the awkward, painful, and hilarious truth of growing up.”
