Hashtags like #TransIsBeautiful and #GirlsLikeUs make me so happy because as a society, we’ve (unfortunately and as a whole) gotten really good at demeaning, being violent towards, and erasing the trans community. Seeing the love and support in those hashtags makes me so happy because I’m so excited to see a different narrative being put out there about trans individuals.

And the fact that Laverne Cox and Janet Mock both started those hashtags and are on the forefront of trans visibility also makes me so happy because within the LGBTQ+ community (and especially within society has a whole), we have this unbelievable ability to whitewash and erase so many other identities. (Although that doesn’t mean only one type of person can participate in either hashtag.)

#GirlsLikeUs is for ALL trans women, regardless of color, but all who lend their voice to amplify ours knows that intersectionality matters.

— Janet Mock (@janetmock) May 15, 2012

The New York Times has an article about the fact that broadening the transgender tale has only just begun and interviewed several trans actors and actresses – something that I just love so much because we are so often left out of telling our own narratives. Laverne Cox also had this wonderful exchange with a young trans girl, telling her that transgender is beautiful. And the additional Twitter hashtag #RealLifeTransAdult shares powerful testimonies about being a trans adult and that it’ll never be too late to be you or to transition.

So this is to all the trans people out there, to all of those questioning, to all of those who are sure, to all of those who have to be closeted, to every single one of you: I love you I love you I love you. You are wonderful and worthy and valid. Your existence is necessary and your gender real.❤❤

One day I hope to be out and proud as trans. At this point, my trans identity is a sort of subtle thing in my life – something I have to stay quiet about as a way of survival. So to all those who are closeted in whatever way, just know that you aren’t alone and that one day you will most definitely be able to live your truth.