August is Transgender History Month, a statewide observance in California since 2024. It was formally recognized by the California State Assembly (House Resolution 57) and traces its roots to San Francisco, which became the first U.S. city to declare the month official in 2021.
This month centers on commemorating the pivotal 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riot. That uprising was led by Black and brown trans women and drag performers in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. It is widely recognized as the earliest documented LGBTQ rebellion in U.S. history and predates the Stonewall uprising by three years.
In 2025, Transgender History Month enters its second year at the state level. Across California and beyond, it fuels deeper efforts to explore trans history, amplify the stories of trans elders, and energize the next wave of trans-led transformation.
Why August?
August was chosen for two key reasons. It aligns with the anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, and it honors San Francisco’s legacy as the birthplace of the first legally recognized Transgender Cultural District, established in 2017 by trailblazers Aria Sa’id, Honey Mahogany, and Janetta Johnson.
A Time for Reclaiming History
Trans lives carry both heritage and revolution. For too long, our stories have been ignored, distorted, or erased. As activist Jupiter Peraza noted, trans people have often been seen but not heard. Trans History Month is here to change that.
This month demands that we take up space, tell our stories, teach what has been hidden, and celebrate not just our history but our continued presence.
Key Historical Moments to Spotlight
Compton’s Cafeteria Riot (1966)
This fierce uprising in San Francisco began when Black and Latinx trans women and drag queens fought back against police harassment. They overturned tables and smashed windows in a radical act of resistance and dignity. It is a foundational moment in trans and queer history.
Stonewall Riots (1969)
While the Stonewall rebellion in New York is often seen as the spark for the modern LGBTQ rights movement, it is important to remember that earlier uprisings like Compton’s helped set the stage. Trans people were central to both.
Louise Lawrence and Transvestia (1950s–60s)
Louise Lawrence built one of the earliest nationwide trans support networks. She co-founded Transvestia, a publication that helped connect trans people, share resources, and challenge social stigma.
Lou Sullivan and Trans Men’s Advocacy (1970s)
Lou Sullivan was the first openly gay trans man known in the U.S. He defied binary thinking around gender and sexuality and founded early organizing efforts for trans men.
Mary Ann Horton and Corporate Policy (1990s)
At Lucent Technologies, Horton pushed for one of the first corporate non-discrimination policies that explicitly included gender identity. Her work led to policy changes at major companies like Apple and Xerox. Horton also published research showing that covering gender-affirming healthcare costs very little per employee. That helped shift major employers toward inclusion.
Monica Helms and the Trans Flag (1999–2000)
Monica Helms, a U.S. Navy veteran, created the transgender pride flag in 1999. It was first flown in Phoenix in 2000. She later donated the original flag to the Smithsonian, and it remains one of the most iconic symbols of trans pride worldwide.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
Born in Chicago in 1946, Miss Major is a living legend. She is a Stonewall veteran, sex worker, anti-prison organizer, former executive director of the Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project, and author of Miss Major Speaks. Her lifetime of resistance spans generations.
Themes and Programming for August 2025
This year’s Trans History Month includes statewide events across California. From San Francisco to Sacramento, institutions are showcasing the depth of trans culture through:
- Virtual exhibits on pioneers like Louise Lawrence and Mary Ann Horton
- Storytelling panels with trans elders
- School and workplace workshops that explore trans history and lived experiences
- Poetry slams, music performances, and visual art by trans creators
- Commemorations at local government buildings and cultural centers
States like Illinois, which protect inclusive LGBTQ curricula, are also expanding educational programs during August.
Challenges in 2025
As we celebrate our past, the present brings new threats.
- In January 2025, Executive Order 14168 was issued, revoking federal recognition of gender identity. It also cut funding for gender-affirming care and removed gender self-identification from federal documents like passports.
- The National Park Service quietly removed the words “transgender” and “queer” from materials related to the Stonewall National Monument.
- Multiple states continue to pass legislation banning gender-affirming care, excluding trans students from athletics, and censoring inclusive educational content.
These developments highlight why Trans History Month is urgent. History is not a passive memory. It is a battleground for truth, belonging, and political survival.
Why Trans History Month Matters Now
Countering Erasure
Powerful institutions are trying to erase trans lives from public memory. Trans History Month offers a chance to fight back by telling the truth about who we are and who we have always been.
Building Community Across Generations
From Compton’s to today’s student-led walkouts, each act of defiance builds on those before it. Learning these histories creates a sense of lineage and shared purpose.
Educating the Broader Public
Many people still believe trans people are a new phenomenon. History shows otherwise. We have existed in every era, across every culture. Our stories are not side notes; they are part of the main narrative.
Fueling Activism
Trans elders have laid the foundation. Their strategies, their resilience, and their courage continue to inspire new generations of activists. Whether the fight is in a courtroom, a classroom, or a city street, history gives us the roadmap.
How to Get Involved
If You’re in California:
- Attend Trans History Month events at local libraries, city halls, and cultural centers
- Visit virtual exhibits hosted by the Transgender District or local archives
- Volunteer at or donate to trans-led organizations
If You’re Outside California:
- Host your own Trans History Month reading night, screening, or discussion
- Share stories of trans elders in your community
- Use your platform to amplify lesser-known parts of trans history
For Everyone:
- Read trans memoirs and nonfiction like Miss Major Speaks, Trailblazer by Mary Ann Horton, or Lou Sullivan’s journals
- Fly the transgender pride flag and share its history
- Talk about Trans History Month at work, school, or within your friend groups
- Push for inclusion of trans history in your local school district’s curriculum
Spotlight Figures to Know
| Name | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Louise Lawrence | Built early trans networks and published Transvestia |
| Lou Sullivan | First openly gay trans man, organizer for trans men |
| Mary Ann Horton | Corporate pioneer in transgender inclusion and healthcare research |
| Monica Helms | Created the transgender pride flag |
| Miss Major | Stonewall veteran, activist, organizer, and author |
What’s the Difference Between Trans History Month and Trans Awareness Month?
Transgender Awareness Month takes place in November and focuses on increasing visibility and honoring trans lives, especially during the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.
Transgender History Month happens in August and is centered on education, historical remembrance, and cultural celebration. Both are crucial. One mourns and honors, while the other teaches and uplifts.
Looking Ahead
Trans History Month is more than a memorial to the past. It is a blueprint for the future.
Knowing our history helps us:
- Push back against modern erasure
- Honor our elders and mentors
- Inform policy and culture with real context
- Inspire future generations to lead with confidence
In 2025, new initiatives like the Christopher Street Project are emerging to protect and elevate trans voices in politics. Projects like these continue the work of icons like Monica Helms and Miss Major, ensuring that trans people are not just discussed but also leading the conversations.
The Bottom Line
Trans History Month is not just about remembering who we were. It’s about embracing who we are now and fighting for who we deserve to become.
From the riot at Compton’s Cafeteria to the founding of the Transgender Cultural District, from the creation of a pride flag to the pushing of corporate policy, our history is powerful and ongoing.
Let’s honor it, share it, and build on it.
