The transgender community and LGBTQ culture are built on shared values, unique expressions, and a history of resilience. LGBTQ culture, often described as a , challenges mainstream societal norms regarding gender and orientation to create spaces of belonging and mutual support. Understanding the Community

These were not "gay men in dresses." They were trans women of color fighting police brutality for homeless queer youth. They threw the bricks and high heels that sparked a movement. For decades, mainstream gay rights organizations tried to distance themselves from "gender non-conforming radicals" to appear palatable to heterosexual society. Yet, without the transgender community’s refusal to stay silent, there would be no LGBTQ culture as we know it.