The term refers to people whose gender identity—their internal sense of being male, female, or another gender—differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

: Experiences within the community vary significantly based on race, disability, and socioeconomic status. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD work to address these overlapping challenges and promote equality for all members of the community.

: This is the process of aligning one's life and/or body with their gender identity. It can be social (changing names/pronouns), legal (updating documents), or medical (hormones/surgery).

LGBTQ+ culture is built on resilience and the creation of "chosen families"—networks of support that provide the safety and belonging sometimes missing from biological families.

: Identity is internal, while gender expression refers to how a person presents themselves to the world through clothing, behavior, and appearance.

The is an umbrella term encompassing a diverse range of sexual orientations and gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. While each group has unique experiences, they are united by a shared history of advocating for civil rights , visibility, and acceptance in a society that has traditionally prioritized heterosexuality and binary gender norms. The Transgender Community

: Events like Pride Month commemorate the Stonewall Uprising and celebrate the community's diversity, individuality, and progress in the face of discrimination.