A History Lesson: The Impact of QTPOC Communities in LGBTQ+ History Queer and trans people of color have always been central to the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation. From the resistance at Compton’s Cafeteria in 1966, to the Stonewall uprising of 1969, to the creation of mutual aid networks like STAR House, QTPOC organizers helped shape the foundations of the modern LGBTQ+ movement. Figures such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera not only stood on the front lines of protest — they also built systems of care for queer and trans youth experiencing homelessness, advocated for inclusion within LGBTQ+ organizing, and pushed movements to live up to their values. This history also includes the vibrant traditions of ballroom culture, where Black and Latinx LGBTQ communities created spaces of expression, chosen family, and resilience long before mainstream recognition. As we reflect on LGBTQ+ history, it’s important to remember that many stories were misrepresented, erased, or written by out...