"Trans kids are too young to know." Reality: Children understand their gender as early as age 3-4. For a trans child, "social transition" (changing a name or pronouns) is a reversible, low-stakes way to improve mental health. Medical interventions are not given to prepubescent children.

The cultures are intertwined because of shared oppression. The —widely considered the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement—were led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera . Without trans people, there is no Pride parade. Common Myths vs. Reality Myth: "Being trans is a new trend." Reality: Transgender people have existed in every culture throughout history, from the Hijra of South Asia to the Two-Spirit people of Native American tribes.

When we protect the "T" in LGBTQ+, we protect everyone’s right to be authentically themselves. If you are struggling with your gender identity, resources like The Trevor Project (866-488-7386) and GLAAD's Transgender Resource page offer confidential, life-saving support.

In recent years, visibility for the transgender community has grown exponentially. From TV shows like Pose and Disclosure to increased representation in politics and sports, more people are asking: What does it actually mean to be transgender, and how does this fit into "LGBTQ culture"?