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Foreword The Center on Halsted has always been close to my heart. From its earliest days as Gay Horizons, through the vital years of Horizons Community Ser- vices, to the past decade of remarkable growth and achievement in the new building, I’ve admired and worked with the beautiful people of this organiz- ation in pursuit of simple justice, fairness, and dignity for all. It has been the honor of a lifetime. We’ve made remarkable strides together in recent years, from the right to personal safety and privacy to the right to serve and marry. But the struggle continues, particularly with respect to the transgender community. And as long as there are people who feel the need to hide their identity in order to maintain job security, personal safety, or cultural acceptance, we must con- tinue to press forward together. And when I say “we,” I mean everyone. We all have a role to play in chang- ing the dynamic in our own workplaces and our own neighborhoods. It’s not a matter of activism or politics it’s about recognizing the humanity in another person. It’s so simple. Yet we always make these things seem so complicated. Consider the apocalyptic warnings that preceded every step forward in these five decades since Stonewall. None of them, of course, have ever come to pass. But we hear them again today about the dangers of inclusive work- places and facilities. That’s why this book is so important. In clear and direct language, Van- essa Sheridan cuts through the noise of the loudest voices and reaches out to those who are simply trying to manage change with fairness and respect. She explains the concept of gender authenticity in accessible language and pres- ents a compelling case for using this concept to improve the organizational culture of any workplace. She provides tools and road maps that any man- ager or human resources professional can put to immediate and effective use.