: It is essential for older trans-feminine people to continue regular screenings for heart health and, depending on their surgical history, prostate or breast health.
: While some individuals in the sex work industry or older generations "reclaim" the term, it is generally viewed as dehumanizing and transphobic because it reduces a person's identity to their genitalia.
During the 1980s and 90s, the AIDS crisis decimated both cisgender gay men and transgender women, particularly Black and Latinx trans women who worked as sex workers. While mainstream gay organizations focused on lobbying for medical research and anti-discrimination laws, trans activists were on the ground doing mutual aid: feeding the sick, burying the dead, and providing housing. This era forged a deep, trauma-based bond between the gay and trans communities. Yet, it also sowed seeds of resentment, as early HIV/AIDS funding and advocacy often excluded trans-specific healthcare needs.
