When we mythologize the Stonewall Riots of 1969, we often picture cisgender gay men throwing bricks. But the frontline fighters were trans women like (a self-identified drag queen and trans activist) and Sylvia Rivera (a co-founder of STAR, Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries).
In the 1960s and 70s, the lines between "transgender," "drag queen," and "gay" were blurry. Many trans women initially came out as gay men. Many lesbian bars turned away trans women. So, the trans community built their own spaces inside the movement. Rivera famously watched as the mainstream (cisgender) gay rights movement tried to leave the "gender freaks" behind. At a 1973 rally in New York, she had to storm the stage to scream: "If you won’t fight for me, go back to your bars!" beautiful ass shemale
Transgender people are the violet in that flag. We are the magic and the spirit. Without us, the flag is just a piece of fabric. With us, it is a revolution. When we mythologize the Stonewall Riots of 1969,
About the author: Alex M. is a non-binary writer and community organizer focused on queer history and trans liberation. They live in the Pacific Northwest with two very spoiled cats. Many trans women initially came out as gay men
By Alex M.