As the community faces a new era of both visibility and vulnerability, the bond between transgender people and the broader LGBTQ culture is not just historical—it is essential. When we defend trans existence, we defend the promise that everyone, regardless of gender or who they love, deserves to stand in the light, fully and authentically seen.

The modern transgender rights movement has its roots in the mid-20th century. The Stonewall riots in 1969, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ rights movement, were sparked in part by the police harassment of transgender individuals, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were prominent figures in the uprising. These events marked the beginning of a more organized and public fight for LGBTQ rights, including those of transgender individuals.