: Transgender women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were key figures in the Stonewall Riots , which catalyzed the modern global LGBTQ+ movement.
: Following Stonewall, Johnson and Rivera founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) to provide housing and resources for homeless queer youth, establishing early models for community-based care. photos erect shemale
Long before the broader "gay rights" movement gained mainstream traction, transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals were resisting systemic harassment. : Transgender women of color like Marsha P