Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals were at the forefront of the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

Modern LGBTQ culture utilizes specific language to accurately reflect and respect transgender experiences: Frequently Asked Questions about Transgender People | A4TE

In 1970, Johnson and Rivera co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) , the first LGBTQ youth shelter in North America, specifically to protect homeless queer and trans youth. Core Terminology and Concepts

Often cited as the birth of the modern movement, this multi-day riot was led in significant part by transgender women of color, such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera .