An identity to call their own: A new open life: Amid continued discrimination and harassment, the transgender community is having its moment; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/1/14

Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; An identity to call their own: A new open life: Amid continued discrimination and harassment, the transgender community is having its moment:

"The "T" in LGBT - the last letter in the acronym representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals - is finally getting its turn in the spotlight.

Even as Pennsylvania became the 19th state last month to allow same-sex marriage, the small but increasingly visible transgender wing of the LGBT movement is moving aggressively to secure the same protections won by gay rights groups over the past two decades.

In a historic move at the end of April, federal officials codified protections for transgender students under Title IX, a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs. And on Friday, Medicare lifted its ban on coverage for sex reassignment surgery...

This Friday, Pittsburgh's growing transgender movement will be out in force for 2014 Pittsburgh Pride, an LGBT celebration running through June 15. TransPride, a local advocacy and support group, will be hosting a series of events showcasing the artistic and musical talents of trans people. It's the most extensive spotlight on this community during the annual celebration of the LGBT movement so far, says TransPride co-founder Chance Thomas.

First, an explainer: Unlike the other letters in LGBT, transgender is about how an individual identifies, as male or female. Being lesbian, gay or bisexual is about sexual orientation."