LGBTQ culture is richer, bolder, and more honest because of the transgender community. The trans journey—of shedding a false self to discover a true one—is the ultimate metaphor for coming out itself.

The term "transgender" gained traction in the 1960s to distinguish gender identity from sexual orientation. Intersectionality: The Heart of the Movement

At the same time, the trans community relies on the coalitional power of the LGBTQ+ movement for legal protections, social acceptance, and mutual care. When a trans child is bullied, it is often a gay-straight alliance club that offers refuge. When a trans adult needs a lawyer, it is often an LGBTQ+ legal fund that steps in.