As a young, closeted transgender person growing up in the '80s and '90s, I felt very alone. I didn't know anyone like me, and there were no transgender narratives in mainstream media, news, or entertainment. Thankfully, I found and fell in love with the internet at an early age. It was the only place I could find people like me and express my true identity. The freely accessible online communities allowed me then–and millions of people today–to share stories, understanding, empathy, and support.
Eventually, I turned my passion for the internet into a career, helping to launch the groundbreaking Huffington Post and today supporting many publishers, including several that promote the beautiful voices of marginalized communities. I appreciate my blessings. Still, I'm disappointed by a growing misunderstanding of how media works among advocates and policymakers and their continuing calls to restrict relevant advertising.
