Hari Nef Says 'Trans Women of Color are the Mothers of the LGBT Movement'

At an LGBTQ immigration rally this Saturday, Transparent actress Hari Nef was invited to speak before a crowd of New Yorkers on perhaps the coldest day of Trump's presidency thus far. Thousands gathered outside the historic Stonewall Inn to show their solidarity against Donald and his Cabinet, who have already made clear that they are no friends of the queer community--espeically the queer community of color.

Related | In Pictures: The LGBTQ Solidarity Rally at Stonewall

"My name is Hari Nef. I am a woman. I am Jewish. And I am transgender," she said. "I did not expect to speak today, but I reached from the top of my head for something I find to be crucial in the midst of our mobilization against Donald Trump and his pernicious administration. Trans women, particularly trans women of color, are the mothers of the LGBT movement. I have heard it said, and I believe, that Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans woman, threw the first brick at Stonewall. I stand here before you because of my trans ancestors and sisters, because of Marsha P. Johnson, because of Sylvia Rivera. Plus, Candy Darling, Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and countless others. New York is our home. America is our home. And the decrepit orange villain that now sits in the Oval Office will never take that away from us."

Then Nef demanded, "Show me what democracy looks like," as the crowd erupted into an empowered chant: "This is what democracy looks like!" Watch her powerful impromptu speech, below: