: Identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female, or another gender. Expression refers to the way a person communicates that identity to others through clothing, behavior, and hair.

The transgender community is a diverse group of individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. As a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ culture, this community has been at the forefront of movements for civil rights, gender self-determination, and the redefinition of societal norms. Despite significant progress in visibility and legal protections in many regions, the community continues to face systemic barriers in healthcare, employment, and personal safety.

: Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and GLAAD work to advocate for federal protections, such as the Equality Act, and to ensure fair representation in media.

: As noted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , the LGBTQ+ community faces "distinctive stressors" arising from societal bias and marginalization, leading to higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to cisgender peers.