From Caitlyn Jenner to hit shows like Orange Is the New Black and Transparent the term transgender has become more mainstream. For some Kentuckians, it's nothing new, it's something they have been living with for years, some in silence. Now more transgender people are feeling confident about living in the open. WKYT's Amber Philpott sits down with three women who are speaking out hoping to break the stigma about their transition in life.

She has more than 20 marathons and 30 half marathons under her belt. Running is a daily regiment for Tuesday Meadows, its become symbolic for this 62-year-old.

"Yes, I believe I have run away from a lot of stuff in my life," said Tuesday Meadows.

Her story is much like that of Slyvia Rose, who holds a PhD and works for a major Lexington company.

"I think the most challenging thing for me has really been overcoming my own inner turmoil," said Dr. Sylvia Rose.

J'Lissabeth Faughn has a masters in social justice and dedicates her life to educating others.

"Its about treating individuals with dignity and respect," said J'Lissabeth Faughn.

Three different women, one thing in common. They are all transgender, assigned male at birth, but all agree that was wrong.

"When you are five-years-old you don't know what is going with you," said Meadows.

"I knew at age four that things were not right," said Rose.

"Certainly when I was very young there were a lot of things I liked to do that would have been stereotypical female," said Faughn.

For Tuesday Meadows, she spent the better part of her life hiding her true identity. She married the love of her life, became a parent and worked more than 40 years in retail as Thomas. The only person to know her real struggle was her wife of 39 years.

"I'm thinking in this one (picture) I might have started hormones," said Meadows.

In 2013 at the age of 60, Tuesday made the medical transition from being labeled Thomas to become a woman. Her life partner wasn't sure, but supported her with friendship and love.

"She told me I don't know that I can stay with you. I said I understand, but I said I cannot not transition," said Meadows.

Shortly after transitioning Tuesday's journey became harder, she lost her love of her life to cancer and her support.

"I'm trying to figure out how to maneuver the world by myself and I'm trying to figure out how to do it as a transgender woman."

She has found the courage to be totally open about her transition. She writes for a Lexington fairness publication and recently gave her first Ted Talk at the University of Kentucky.

"Once you get defined wrong by the doctor, you fight that your whole life."

Its a topic and community still highly understood.

"We want the exact same things as everyone else. We want love, we want to have a decent life, and we want a better community."

That acceptance isn't always easy. J'Lissabeth Faughn who runs the website TransEducator.com says more education is needed. She says the attempted suicide rate among transgender people is 71%.

"I have honestly never met a transgender or transsexual individual who didn't consider suicide or attempt suicide at one point in their life," said Faughn.

To try and alleviate the helplessness in the Bluegrass there is TransKentucky. A vital resource that serves as a support group.

"We try as a group to provide a safe place for people who have gender variance or even just questions about their gender, maybe they are confused, or they don't really know who they are," said Sylvia Rose.

Sylvia Rose transitioned on the job with an understanding employer, but she knows others don't always have a supportive environment. She says that's where TransKentucky can help.

"It's a whole different story when you can come to someplace like this, meet and talk to real people who had real experiences. Maybe you can better understand who you are," said Rose.

Tuesday Meadows knows who she is, with every new step she is hoping to make someone else's journey easier.

"To have your family support you and love you means the world. If there was more of that there would be a whole lot less suicide within the transgender community," said Meadows.

Each of these women spoke out simply to try and educate others and let people know they have a gender issue, beyond that they are normal people. Wednesday the annual Fairness Lobby and Rally Day will be held in Frankfort. The rally begins at 1:30 in the Capital Rotunda. The day is about lobbying for fairness and equality for the LGBTQ community.

For more information on TransKentucky and TransEdcuator look for the links attached and click.