[engine humming] I don't typically attend events like Lobby Day, but because I have been so public about running for office, people are reaching out to me and telling me, "Hey, did you know that this existed?"

And there's so many trans people all over Texas doing great work and I've never met them, and I think it's about time that I do.

- Raise your hands if this is the first time you've ever participated in a Trans Lobby Day.

[crowd cheering] Woo!

Transgender people and drag queens cannot be hidden without our cooperation, and we refuse to hide.

We are undeniably a part of the beautiful diversity that you see represented here.

We are Texas.

[crowd cheering] And let Ms. Moni tell you something, trans youth.

I and your trans elders will fight tooth and nail for you to make sure you get to grow up in Texas and you don't have to spend your twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, and sixties lobbying for basic human rights coverage.

[crowd cheering] - I'm embarrassed right now.

That's what it is.

I'm more embarrassed.

For the past 20-plus years, I've stayed away from the...

When I left being a showgirl, I left being the showgirl.

Like I was done with that, and so I never had really gone back, and I've never been an activist.

I've been in politics, but I've never been an activist within the LGBTQIA community, especially on trans issues.

I can't lie about it.

- Don't be ashamed of your story.

That's your life.

You can't be judged for your life.

- This group knew each other.

They were hugging and they knew each other there.

This is their sisterhood.

I felt, me as a trans woman in a group of trans women, I was a visitor into their sisterhood.

I learned about my privilege because I saw just the pain.

I'm gonna start crying again.

Just saw these women, you know, these men and women, they're just trying to find a place.

It can't be like that.

One gave me $10 and said, "I'm sorry I don't have a lot."

I was like, "I don't even want your $10," like... - Leadership isn't always giving a speech.

Leadership is often listening, and that's all you can do at this point is hear and take it in.

It's something you haven't been exposed to before, but take it in and hear it.

I think you did.

[ambient music]