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Growing up as a queer person in Racine, Wisconsin, Camden Hargrove faced homophobia and misogyny on a regular basis. Back then, before Hargrove transitioned, he experienced what it was like to be discriminated against as a woman. Now Hargrove, 31, works every day to be the best father he can be to his two young daughters. He says his biggest goal is to always affirm his daughters for who they are.

"It is very important for me to make sure they feel proud of being brown, they feel very proud and confident of being female. Because I know how hard that struggle can be," Hargrove said.

Across the country, transgender advocates are working to combat societal gender constructs, which affect people of all genders, including cisgender men and women. Advocates are also focusing on tackling transphobia within the LGBTQ community. They say fighting all gender-based oppression is a critical step toward creating a safer country for all Americans.

This episode was written and produced by Audio Editor Claire Thornton.

More reading on gender constructs: 

Mom guilt is part of the unfair concept of doing ‘gender correctly’

Black women face more obstacles running for office

Gender stereotypes make it harder for women to say ‘no’