In recent years, the topic of transgender issues has come up in discussions throughout the globe. It's no secret that the transgender community fights for equality every single day all around the world. And among those on the front lines of transforming representation in the media are transgender actors themselves. By being the best at what they do, they have broken barriers and advanced society standards and views toward queerness. And by using their fame and social standing, these trans celebrities have served as guiding lights to young queer people throughout the world.
From A-listers like Laverne Cox to new stars like Josie Totah, these are
8 transgender stars who is making history in Hollywood for the better. Take a look, below.
#1 Asia Kate Dillon
Source: © AFP/EAST NEWS
The character of Taylor Mason in the television series "Billions" is portrayed by actor Asia Kate Dillon, who identifies as nonbinary. They co-starred in "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum," which has been nominated for multiple Critics' Choice Television Awards. As a consequence of their representation in movies and television, viewers have gained knowledge of the nonbinary experience and the use of the singular they/them pronoun, leading award shows like the MTV Awards to make some of its categories inclusive and gender-neutral.
#2 Jamie Clayton
Source: © Gilbert Flores/Broadimage/EAST NEWS
Jamie Clayton, an actress and model, was drawn to the Netflix series "Sense8" since it included a transgender woman character created by transgender writers. After portraying Nomi Marks in the show, Clayton went on to star in a number of other television programs, feature films, and video games, such as "The Snowman," "The Neon Demon," "Designated Survivor," and "Mass Effect: Andromeda." Clayton even portrayed transsexual pioneer Christine Jorgensen in the documentary series "Equal."
#3 Mj Rodriguez
Source: © Gilbert Flores/Broadimage/Broad Image/East News
MJ made history when she became the first transgender performer nominated for an Emmy in a major category. The actress was recognized for her portrayal or Blanca in FX's Pose. "I’m feeling so many emotions. I’m feeling joy, and I’m feeling accomplished. I finally feel seen," MJ told Deadline after the nomination.
#4 Elliot Page
Source: © Todd Williamson/Invision/AP/East News, © Bruce Glikas/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
In 2020, Elliot Page publicly identified as a transgender man. He is the first trans man to be on the cover of Time Magazine thanks to his most well-known portrayal as Juno MacGuff in the 2007 film Juno. But it was his performance in the 1997–2000 TV series Pit Pony, for which he was nominated for a Young Artist Award, that helped him first become well-known.
#5 Trace Lysette
Source: © Invision/Invision/East News
Trace Lysette entered the spotlight in the critically acclaimed Amazon series "Transparent." But before she became well-known, Lysette was a performer in the New York City underground ball scene, appearing in local pubs and clubs. Her amazing dance skills are also featured in the 2019 movie "Hustlers."
In 2013, Lysette made her television debut in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Naturally, this led to further possibilities as "Transparent" is one of the best programs ever created and one of the best shows ever regarding trans people.
#6 Laverne Cox
Source: © Gilbert Flores/Broadimage/Broad Image/East News
Laverne Cox, an actress and activist, made her acting debut in Orange Is The New Black in 2013 as Sophia Burset, a transgender prisoner. Since then, she's soared. She has been on the covers of several magazines, including TIME and British Vogue. She also produced the Netflix documentary Disclosure and co-starred in the Oscar-nominated movie Promising Young Woman. She's more than earned the titles “Emmy-nominated actress," "documentary film producer," and "equal rights advocate."
#7 Indya Moore
Source: © ANGELA WEISS/AFP/East News
Indya Moore is someone to keep an eye on after landing the Elle cover and earning the role of Angel Evangelista in the FX television series Pose. She recently starred alongside Julianne Moore and Chloe Sevigny in the Saint Laurent short film "French Water". The activist also utilizes their platform to advocate against racism and raise money for transgender persons of color, sex workers, and people with disabilities.
#8 Josie Totah
Source: © Ivan Nikolov / WENN.com/agefotostock/East News, © Mega Agency/East News
One of the newest openly transgender artists in the
Entertainment business, Josie Totah was born in 2001. Totah received praise for her portrayal in the 2016 movie "Other People" after making an appearance in the
Disney Channel series "Jessie." She didn't come out as transgender until the year 2018. She then went on to play a cheerleader in Peacock's "Saved by the Bell" revival, among other projects.