Conversely, trans men (female-to-male) have historically been rendered invisible within both straight and gay culture. They were often erased from lesbian spaces after transitioning and frequently faced misgendering from gay men.
Importantly, being transgender is separate from sexual orientation. A trans woman may be straight (attracted to men), lesbian (attracted to women), bisexual, or asexual. Gender identity is who you are ; sexual orientation is who you love .
Today, the relationship between the trans community and broader LGBTQ culture is being tested by a new wave of political and social challenges.
As Marsha P. Johnson famously said when asked what the "P" stood for: "Pay it no mind." The world may try to police gender, but the trans community continues to live, thrive, and remind us that authenticity is the ultimate act of resistance.