The brave example of his best friend inspired this transgender man to express his truth to everyone. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. Growing up in a small town in Michigan, Ashton Niedzwiecki didn’t know that anything beyond the female gender he’d been assigned at birth was possible. He […]

After decades of living as the Mormon Church, his family and society expected him to, this transgender man is finally living his truth. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. Seth Carwyn grew up Mormon, living under the strict rules of the faith that were followed by his family. He […]

This transgender woman uses her unique voice to advocate for herself and her community. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. Ahya Simone didn’t plan on becoming a harpist. She’s always been musical and had long been a singer, but taking a harp class began as nothing more than a […]

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette joined with the attorneys general of nine other states to sue the federal government over their recently-released guidance for educators on how to make their schools safe, welcoming places for transgender students. The other states are Arkansas, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming. In his press release, Schuette claims […]

As a new mother, this transgender woman has faced unique challenges that inspired a new direction for her activism. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. When Racquelle Trammell found out that she and her fiancé, Liam Johnson, were expecting their first child, it was a joyous occasion. They knew […]

In late March, the North Carolina legislature convened a one-day special session where they steamrolled through legislation making it illegal to use a public restroom not corresponding to your gender at birth. It was quickly signed into law later that night and the state has faced an unprecedented firestorm ever since. The NBA is talking about moving the 2017 All-Star […]

This is a repost of piece Anne posted a year ago. The piece has photos taken in Braun Court in Ann Arbor, part of Kerrytown, where the celebration of the Supreme Court decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case which made marriage equality for all Americans the law of the land took place. Whether you’re married or not, we hope […]

This father of a transgender daughter is committed to overcoming ignorance, online and off. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. At some point, a Facebook meme that demeans transgender people — usually with vicious lies — has come across your feed. If you’re a person with any empathy, it’s […]

Raised in an affirming family, this transgender woman now works to lift up marginalized communities. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. Lilianna Angel Reyes has never felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body. To her, transitioning from a boy into a woman felt like something very natural. […]

If you’re a politician commenting on the tragedy in Orlando, Florida where the lives of 49 people were extinguished by a madman with a semi-automatic weapon, do us all a favor and do NOT include the phrase “thoughts and prayers” or any iteration of it in your reaction. Thoughts and prayers are like a tissue paper vest when it comes […]

I am not a late sleeper and never have been as an adult. This Sunday morning woke at 4:30 a.m. and, sadly, it’s another morning filled with news of a new hate crime that is being called “domestic terrorism” by Orlando, Florida police. But it is clearly a stark and heartbreaking reminder that hatred is still very prevalent is America […]