Using respectful and current terminology is crucial. Terms like "transgender," "non-binary," and "genderqueer" refer to different aspects of gender identity.
In the 1960s, the police harassment of LGBTQ+ people was routine, but transgender individuals and "street queens" (those who lived full-time as women without surgical intervention) faced the most brutal violence. They were often the poorest, the most visible, and the most arrested. When the uprising occurred, it was these trans figures who stood at the front line.
As of 2026, the relationship between the transgender community and broader LGBTQ culture is being stress-tested by an unprecedented wave of legislation. In many parts of the United States and Europe, laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors, banning trans athletes, and removing bathroom access have made "T" the primary target of conservative political movements.