The "T" in LGBTQ is often mistakenly assumed to be a subset of the "LGB." In reality, a trans person can have any sexual orientation. A trans woman may be a lesbian (attracted to women), gay (attracted to men), bisexual, or asexual. This complexity enriches LGBTQ culture, challenging the rigid categories that society imposes.

However, within the acronym, the “T” has often sat uneasily beside the “LGB.” In the 1970s and 80s, some gay and lesbian organizations excluded transgender people, viewing them as a liability in the fight for marriage equality and military service. This painful schism created a parallel fight: for trans people, liberation was never just about who you love, but who you are.