Honoring the Legacy of Black, Brown, and Indigenous Trans Women: The Heart of Pride
Pride Month is often seen as a celebration—of love, identity, and community. But at its roots, Pride is also a protest and a riot, a movement born from the courage of those who stood up against injustice. At the forefront of that resistance were Black, Brown, and Indigenous trans women whose bravery sparked a revolution and continues to shape the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation today.
Icons like Marsha P. Johnson and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Black trans women, and Sylvia Rivera, a Latina trans woman, played critical roles in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969—an event widely credited with igniting the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Their activism wasn’t just about visibility; it was about survival, justice, and demanding a world where queer and trans people—especially those of color—could live with dignity.
Today, Black, Brown, and Indigenous trans women continue to lead the way in advocacy, art, healing, and community building. They are culture shapers, truth tellers, and change makers. Yet despite their immense contributions, they remain some of the most marginalized folks among us, facing disproportionate rates of violence, discrimination, and economic hardship. They are also frequently overlooked and erased from the narrative of pride, in spaces where pride has become commodified and whitewashed.
Honoring Pride means honoring Black, Brown, and Indigenous trans women—not just in history books or with parades, but through action. It means amplifying their voices, protecting their rights, supporting their businesses and dreams, creating their safety, and ensuring they are not just remembered, but uplifted.
As we celebrate this Pride Month, let’s remember who lit the first flames—and commit to keeping their fire alive. Because Pride isn’t just about waving a rainbow flag; it’s about standing in solidarity with the Black, Brown, and Indigenous trans women who made it possible.
If you’re interested in working with a LGBTQ+ and trans practitioner, click here for more information about our affirming therapy and somatic services.
Check out these articles to learn more about and support current Black, Brown, and Indigenous trans trailblazers:
Black Trans Women To Follow And Support
Six LGBTQ+ Indigenous Icons You Should Know
Queer Latinx Leaders Who Paved the Way – Past and Present
HRC | Trans Activists You Need To Know
Consider supporting or donating to these Atlanta organizations run by and supporting trans women of color: