A transgender person can be gay, straight, bisexual, or asexual. Gender identity and sexual orientation are independent traits, not a single continuum.

The transgender community is a vital and vibrant part of the larger LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) culture. Transgender individuals, who identify with a gender that differs from the sex they were assigned at birth, have made significant contributions to the fight for LGBTQ rights and visibility. This report provides an overview of the transgender community, its history, challenges, and achievements, as well as its intersection with LGBTQ culture.

The transgender community is one of the four core pillars of the LGBTQ+ acronym (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, plus other identities). While sexual orientation (who you love) and gender identity (who you are) are distinct concepts, the transgender community has been historically and politically linked with LGB communities due to shared experiences of: