The transgender community is an essential and historically foundational part of LGBTQ culture. While often grouped under a single "umbrella," the relationship between transgender identity (gender) and queer identity (sexual orientation) is defined by a shared history of activism and distinct cultural contributions.
Transgender identities are not a modern Western invention but have existed across various cultures for centuries:
The modern LGBTQ movement was largely ignited by transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, particularly women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera during the Stonewall Uprising. According to , trans people and sexuality-diverse people formed a unified movement because they faced similar forms of discrimination for defying traditional gender norms. Demographics and Identity
: Approximately 9% of LGBTQ adults in the U.S. identify as transgender, according to Pew Research Center .