Meet 100 Amazing Transgender People Who Are Changing America

Impact

The first-ever Trans 100 list was released on April 9 in Chicago. It is the first list of its kind and the significance of that should not be lost. These are definitely 100 Americans you should know about. 

The list was compiled as part of the project, We Happy Trans. The website was launched by Jen Richards who wanted a place to share her positive experience about transition. She, along with blogger Noah Alvarez, have created the website to serve as an open and supportive community for trans persons. 

“We Happy Trans was created so that trans people could share stories of positive experiences, so the wider world could see that like any other community, we too thrive, struggle, and overcome.”

The release of the website coincided with the inaugural Trans 100 List, U.S. Edition. The list was compiled with the help of Jen Richards and This is H.O.W. Executive Director Antonia D’orsay. These 100 individuals were chosen out of 500 nominations of people making a positive impact in the trans community. Jen Richards spoke at the kickoff event in Chicago on Tuesday, of the importance this kind of list has on establishing a positive feedback loop. 

“The only sustainable self-interest is that which extends the sense of self to include the whole. Look around: women, men, people of color, genderqueer people, crossdressers, showgirls, sex workers, academics, activists, artists, and allies. We are all one community.”

Any curated list is bound to be flawed and the curators of the Trans 100 list freely admit this. It is only the beginning of such an undertaking but it is incredibly important in establishing and promoting the positive work being done by so many. It’s vital from a cultural perspective to share in this positivity. Supporting individuals to participate in their own gender expression is an important part of being an inclusive society. The idea is to really create a sort of critical mass of positivity for trans experiences and trans voices. As we bear witness to these individuals making positive contributions we will also be able to see that this community is not so different from the ones we are a part of. 

I encourage you to take a look at these 100 people making valuable and vital contributions to our society. The fight for trans acceptance, for acceptance of members of all minority communities goes on, but these stories of positivity are not only uplifting but serve as a reminder of all the amazing work each of us is capable of. Congratulations to the Trans 100 inductees.