: A person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth.

A common misconception is that all LGBTQ issues are about who someone is attracted to. However, transgender identity is about who a person is . This distinction is vital in LGBTQ culture. While a gay man may fight for marriage equality, a transgender person may simultaneously fight for the right to access gender-affirming healthcare or to have their correct name and gender reflected on legal documents. This diversity of goals enriches the community but also requires a high level of intersectionality —the understanding that a person’s experience is shaped by overlapping identities like race, class, and gender.

Below is a structured essay exploring these intersections, followed by a guide to the key terms and locations significant to this history.