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I've been following Janet Mock for over a year now, and all I can say is that this woman is awesome.

Mock, an editor for People Magazine's online website, wrote a touching coming-out-trans story that was published at The Huffington Post this past December, and has stepped up as a vocal advocate of the trans* community and the trans* women of color community in particular.

Last week Mock delivered the keynote address to USC's LGBT graduating class of 2012. She spoke passionately about "stepping up" and holding yourself accountable to your community:

"So I made the choice to use my voice, to speak up, to live visibly because being silent would be a disservice to me and the many women who came before for me and the brothers and sisters I fight alongside today and the ones whose voices have been silenced by intolerance and hate."

Pride. Empowerment. Passion. Mock embodies these qualities.

You can watch her address here: