The gold standard for respectful communication involves using the language that communities use for themselves. For example:

A highly stylized, rhythmic form of dance inspired by high-fashion poses.

The names , a Black trans woman, and Sylvia Rivera , a Latina trans woman, have become synonymous with this resistance. While details of that night are debated, what is indisputable is their leadership in the aftermath. Along with other activists, they co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) , providing housing and support for homeless queer and transgender youth, many of whom had been rejected by their families and society. Their activism was not about simple inclusion; it was about survival for the most vulnerable. Despite this, the role of transgender people was long minimized or erased. Even recent actions, such as the removal of the word "transgender" from the official Stonewall National Monument website, show that this erasure continues.

Refers to an individual's enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to others. The Power of Pronouns

Transgender people were central to the uprisings that launched the modern movement:

Historically, the arts have provided a sanctuary for trans individuals, with roles in theater (such as Shakespearean or Kabuki) allowing for exploration of gender performance.