As we close out LatinX Heritage Month, we would be remiss not to highlight the contributions of Sylvia Rivera, whose lifelong fight for transgender and gay rights have helped pave the way for modern LGBTQ+ rights. Famously involved in the Stonewall Inn uprising on June 28, 1969, Rivera was a tireless advocate for those silenced and disregarded by larger movements. She fought against the exclusion of transgender people from the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, a New York law which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit and the exercise of civil rights. “We didn’t take shit from nobody. We had nothing to lose. You all had rights. We had nothing to lose. I’ll be the first one to step on any organization, any politician’s toes if I have to, to get the rights for my community.” The modern-day LGBTQ+ rights movement would be nowhere without the tireless efforts and extraordinary strides of Sylvia Rivera and we are forever grateful. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 #sylviarivera #stonewalluprising #latinx #hispanicheritage #latina #latino #hispanicheritagemonth #latinopride #latinpower #empoweringlatinos #lgbtq #lgbtqyouth #changemakers #createchange #visibility #humanity #lgbtqrights #transrightsarehumanrights