To understand the present, one must look to the past. The modern Gay Rights movement is often dated to the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The riots were led by a diverse group of marginalized people: butch lesbians, effeminate gay men, homeless queer youth, and—crucially—transgender women of color.

The term "shemale" is often used within certain contexts to refer to a transgender woman or a person assigned male at birth who identifies as female, though it can be considered outdated or offensive by some. The intersection of gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation forms a complex matrix through which individuals understand themselves and are understood by others.

Let's also honor the current generation of LGBTQ leaders, artists, and activists who continue to push boundaries and challenge societal norms: