by Mary Ann Horton

Ctrl+Alt+Defeat Discrimination: How One Trans Activist Transformed the Tech Industry.

My name is Mary Ann Horton, and I’m from San Diego, California.  Think back to 1997. I was a closeted cross-dresser working for Lucent Technologies in Columbus, Ohio. I kneSo I was ready for my first day at work as Mary Ann. I’d waited until I had a good reason to do it. On National Coming Out Day, in 1998, we had a gay couple that owned a res...

by Morgan Davis

Trans CPS Investigator Resigns Rather Than Support Texas’ Anti-Trans Policies.

My name is Morgan Davis. I’m from Austin, Texas.  A year ago, I was an investigator with Child Protective Services. At the time, Governor Abbott, the governor of Texas, askSo I immediately went outside to staff the case with my supervisor. I’m on the phone with my supervisor, “Impeccable, let’s close it.”  “No, unfortu...

by Marc Barrett

After Being Called the F-Word at a Straight Wedding, Gay Man Immerses Himself in the Queer Community.

My name is Marc Barrett, and I’m from Belchertown, Massachusetts.  In the late 70s, when I was basically on the road with a band as a musician and entertainer, I had to wat...

by Bart Loeser

After Gay Man Comes Out as HIV+, Parents Evolve From Ambivalence to Activism. “I Couldn’t Be More Proud of Them.”

My name is Bart Loeser and I’m from Houston, Texas. So it was summer, early summer of 1986. And my best friend who was my roommate previously had just moved to San Francisco a c...

by Deja Alvarez

Trans Activist Fights Back Against Police Harassment and Winds Up Changing the System. “I Really Found My Voice.”

My name is Deja Lynn Alvarez. I’m from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In my early twenties being a trans woman here in Philadelphia, it was actually my birthday and a group of my f...

by Cathy Renna

Whoopi, The Prom Musical, & A Day With a Trans Trailblazer: How One Lifelong Activist Rediscovered the Meaning of Pride.

My name is Cathy Renna and I am from Queens, New York. I had the incredible privilege and exhausting responsibility of working with New York City Pride when we were the host city ...

by River Nice

Financial Planner Finds Their Life Purpose – And Their Own Identity – In Helping Other Queer & Trans People

My name is River Nice and I am from Toms River, New Jersey. So in 2016, I was new to Philly and I was working at this tech startup. Part of what I liked about working at the tech ...

by River Francis

After Hitting Rock Bottom, Trans Person Finds Inspiration in Helping Others. “Not Every Queer Kid Out There Has the Support of Their Families.”

I’m River Francis. I’m from Bar Harbor, Maine. When I was six years old, I saw an episode of Night Court, which featured a trans person. And for the first time I realized that...

by Alina Oswald

How a Straight Cis Ally Became a Leading Writer on HIV/AIDS & LGBTQ+ Issues.

Hello. My name is Alina Oswald. I’m from Valcea, Romania. In 1986, my mother, who was an infectious disease doctor, invited me to join her in attending a conference in Buchare...