Sofia and Jake walk into the annual Georgia State University(GSU) Homecoming Ball in an attire that reflects their identities, but not necessarily would be deemed as the “norm”.

Far left: Jake, in the middle is Jake’s partner and Sofia is on the far right posing at GSU Homecoming.

The “norm” is typically viewed as a heterosexual male or female that identify with the gender they were assigned to at birth.

The world struggles to accept the uprising Transgender Community, that is finally beginning to get exposure, and is derived from the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and others) Community. There are some cities that have large communities that speaks out on awareness of the many identities that exist and the adversities they face. 

Atlanta is the home of one of the largest LGBT Communities. According the the Gallup analysis, “An estimated 4.2 percent of metro Atlanta’s population identify themselves as gay or lesbian”.

Georgia State students has the advantage of being in the heart of downtown Atlanta. This provides the students who are a part of the on-campus LGBT Communities to have access to the larger community in city. This topic of conversation for the awareness of these groups and what they represent are becoming common.  

Georgia State student, Sofia Reluzco, 19, identifies as a Non-Binary gender. Non-Binary describes a gender in which does not exclusively fit the male and female binary. Reluzco goes to describe the use of gender pronouns. Reluzco expresses, “My pronouns are he, him, they, them, and occasionally she, her.”

Just as there are several dozens of different identities within the Trans community. The different identities like to use specific pronouns, whereas some people choose to avoid gender pronouns at all cost. Terms are often misused when referring to the Transgender Community. For example, Reluzco states, “Queer is typically offensive to gay males, but lesbian women like to use that term.”  

Reluzco has friends who lives in the Gender Inclusive Housing for Trans People. This is a housing program in which allows one to room with who ever they want, regardless of identity. Reluzco’s best friend, Courtney is a male- to-female transgender woman. “My roommate asked me if my friend Courtney was like a real girl, in reference to what genitals she has, and that’s not really something you asked a trans person,” says Reluzco.

“Are you a real man?”

“Is that a girl-boy?”

“Why does that lady have a beard?” 

These are just a few questions to avoid when interacting or speaking of a transgender. Katelyn Burton, 19, identifies as a Lesbian and likes to be called Kennie.  Kennie says, “It’s all about the tone. It’s really how you sound when you’re asking a question.” Burton continues, “You grow up, especially when your different in the community from other people, you are already defensive because a lot of people have already approached you with not nice things to say.”

As a marginalized group, the Transgender community just wants others to try. Understanding that although it may not be what you are use to, but to accept and learn about an evolving group of people. It is not about always getting it right, but making the efforts to understand.

Reluzco concludes, “This is my identity; I am Cuban, I am White, and I’ve been queer since forever and I love myself.”