Refers to who you are attracted to (sexual orientation). T (Transgender): Refers to who you are (gender identity).
This guide provides an overview of the transgender community and broader LGBTQ+ culture, covering terminology, historical context, current socio-political trends, and best practices for allyship. 1. Core Terminology & Identity
Originating in the Black and Latine trans communities of New York City, ballroom culture gave us "voguing," "slay," and the concept of "chosen families."
However, in the subsequent decades, the mainstream gay rights movement often sidelined its transgender members. In the 1970s and 80s, respectability politics took hold. Many LGB organizations believed that including visibly transgender people, drag queens, and gender-nonconforming individuals would hinder their quest for acceptance. This led to painful fractures. Sylvia Rivera famously interrupted a gay rights rally in 1973, shouting, "You all go to bars because that is the only place you can go. But for me, I can’t even go to a bar without getting arrested."