As Sylvia Rivera shouted from the steps of the Christopher Street Liberation Day rally in 1973, after being silenced by gay leaders who thought she was too radical, "If you don't listen to the trans people, you’re no better than the people who put us in jail."

The "T" is not silent. It is the heartbeat of the culture. And so long as there are queer people fighting to define themselves on their own terms, the transgender community will be standing at the front of the line, leading the way.