Gay men and lesbians seeking to pass anti-discrimination laws often argued, "We are just like you, except for who we love." This argument implicitly threw trans people under the bus, as gender identity was viewed as a choice rather than an innate orientation. In 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force was formed, and while trans people were present, they were often sidelined. Sylvia Rivera (a trans woman) was famously booed off stage at a 1973 New York City gay pride rally when she tried to speak about the plight of transgender and homeless queer youth.

Identification is growing across all racial groups, with Hispanic adults showing the highest rates at over 10%. Socioeconomic & Health Realities

Transgender is an umbrella term that includes various identities, such as nonbinary, genderqueer, and gender-diverse individuals. It is important to distinguish between (who you are) and sexual orientation (who you love).

Johnson and Rivera co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) , providing housing and support for homeless queer youth, establishing a model for community care that persists today. Understanding Transgender Identity in LGBTQ Culture