: A foundational text in queer theory that explores the performative nature of gender.
The modern LGBTQ rights movement is often marked by the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. While popular history frequently centers on gay men and cisgender lesbians, the vanguard of that rebellion was led by trans women of color: Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Johnson, a self-identified drag queen and trans activist, and Rivera, a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), were not just participants; they were the spark that ignited the fire.
The push for gender-neutral pronouns (they/them/ze) and inclusive language originated within trans and non-binary circles and has since permeated mainstream corporate and social environments.
Despite their shared history, the transgender experience is fundamentally different from that of the "LGB" portions of the community. Sexual orientation (who you love) and gender identity (who you are) are distinct concepts.