Where did Pride originate?
Black and Latinx trans women, who were integral to the Stonewall riots (why we celebrate Pride Month today), have been discriminated against by both the black and LGBTQIA2S+ community. Their life expectancy is a sobering 35-37 years. This important community faces erasure – as do the trans women behind Stonewall (see History.com article that makes no mention of their involvement).
As recent development of Black Lives Matter coincides with Pride Month, black trans women are starting to get the recognition they deserve for propelling gay liberation forward throughout history.
The recently released documentary Disclosure outlines the representation of trans people in media, and thus in society. As pointed out in the film, 80% of Americans don’t know a trans person: raising the importance of accurate representation in media, and the workplace.