The transgender community is currently leading the most significant cultural conversation of the 21st century: the decoupling of biology from destiny. As Gen Z and Gen Alpha embrace gender fluidity at record rates, the "transgender experience" is becoming less of a niche subculture and more of a blueprint for how everyone—queer or straight—can live more authentically.

The 1960s and 1970s saw a growing visibility of LGBTQ individuals, particularly in the United States. The Stonewall riots of 1969, a response to police raids on a gay bar in New York City, are often considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement. However, the specific struggles and contributions of transgender individuals, especially those of color, were often overshadowed by the broader narrative of the gay rights movement.

Approximately 2.8 million people aged 13 and older in the United States identify as transgender, which is roughly 1.0% of that age group.