A common point of confusion within broader culture is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity.

The history of the LGBTQ movement is inextricably linked to the courage of transgender individuals. While the acronym today suggests a unified front, the relationship between the transgender community and the wider queer culture has been a complex journey from the fringes to the forefront. From the initial sparks of resistance in the mid-20th century to the modern push for legal and social recognition, the transgender experience has redefined what it means to live authentically.

Transgender is an umbrella term that encompasses various identities, including:

For young people today, the "T" is often the entry point into queer identity. The explosion of young people identifying as non-binary or gender-fluid has reshaped college campuses, youth groups, and online spaces. Generation Z overwhelmingly sees transgender rights as the human rights issue of their generation. To them, an LGBTQ space that is not explicitly trans-affirming is not a safe space at all.