While united under a common banner of fighting cis-heteronormativity (the assumption that heterosexual and cisgender identities are the norm), the transgender experience is uniquely distinct from that of LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) individuals. For the LGB community, the core struggle has historically revolved around sexual orientation —who you love. For the transgender community, the struggle revolves around gender identity —who you are.
The same forces that oppose gay marriage—evangelical conservatism, right-wing populism, anti-LGBT legislation in countries like Uganda and Russia—now focus their firepower on trans existence. Anti-trans laws are rarely just about trans people; they are tests for rolling back LGB rights. As one conservative thinker put it, "We lost the battle on gay marriage; we will not lose the war on gender."
This article explores the intricate dance between these two worlds: their shared history, their points of divergence, the internal conflicts of inclusion, and the powerful synergy that defines contemporary LGBTQ activism. To understand the alliance, one must first understand the distinction. A cisgender gay man is attracted to men; his gender aligns with the sex he was assigned at birth. A transgender woman is a woman whose gender identity differs from her assigned sex at birth. A transgender woman can be straight (attracted to men), lesbian (attracted to women), bisexual, or asexual.