Originating in the Black and Latine trans communities of New York City, ballroom culture gave us "voguing," "slay," and the concept of "chosen families."
: More people are identifying as part of the LGBTQ community than ever before; recent Gallup Polling data shows that roughly 9.3% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ.
Transgender women of color experience disproportionately high rates of violence.
Transgender people have built vibrant micro-cultures:
For much of the 20th century, the "T" in LGBTQ was often sidelined. Early gay rights movements (e.g., the Mattachine Society, Daughters of Bilitis) prioritized assimilation, frequently distancing themselves from gender-nonconforming and trans individuals, who were seen as too radical or "bad for public image."
Despite the challenges faced by the transgender community and LGBTQ individuals, there have been significant triumphs and progress in recent years. Some notable examples include: