Trans rights and overall acceptance have come a long way, but there's still plenty of work to do. Trans identities are at the forefront as the trans movement continues to progress. However, few people understand the history of trans people in the US.
Whether you're queer or not, understanding the plight of our trans brothers and sisters is crucial. Knowledge can empower you to join the cause and ensure that trans people can enjoy the same freedoms and privileges that cis-gender people do every day. If you need to know the history of trans people in the US, visit this website.
Transgender Identities in Early America
Most people don't realize this, but trans people existed long before the LGBTQ movement started. Back then, there were no words for non-binary identities. As a result, trans people were often labeled as something else or treated like misunderstood outcasts.
But even still, they played a big part in history. Take, for example, the 200 or so people who fought in the Civil War despite being assigned female at birth. They donned men's clothes and joined the ranks. Many of those individuals continued to live as men after the war ended.
There are many reports of transgender enslaved people, too. One of the most famous was Frances Thompson. She was an anti-rape activist who also participated in the investigation revolving around the Memphis Riots. Thompson is considered the first transgender woman to testify before Congress.
Near the turn of the 20th century, many transgender individuals got together to form a group of self-described androgynes. One of the members was the author of "Autobiography of an Androgyne," which became one of the first accounts of the history of trans people in the US.
Stonewall and the LGBTQ Movement
Many queer people are familiar with the Stonewall Riots. It's a pivotal turning point in the LGBTQ movement. The person who threw the first brick? That would be Marsha P. Johnson, a black activist who many historians believe was transgender.
While Marsha P. Johnson self-identified as a drag queen, "transgender" wasn't widely used or understood. Regardless, other critical trans people launched the LGBTQ movement. One example is Silvia Rivera, who was next to Marsha P. Johnson at Stonewall.
Trans history is an integral part of queer history. Even if you identify as cis-gendered, trans history is not something you should ignore or forget.
Read a similar article about mental health resources for trans people here at this page.