From Boys Don’t Cry to Transamerica, Dallas Buyer’s Club to The Danish Girl, Hollywood loves a trans narrative. After all, they’ve historically nabbed Oscar nominations, critical acclaim, and cultural purchase for forcing society to see gender and the struggles of a marginalized community in new light. Yet Hollywood’s love of trans stories highlights one blaring problem: its equal love of cisgender actors, whom the industry almost always casts to play transgender roles.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Scarlett Johansson would star as Dante “Tex” Gill in the upcoming film Rub & Tug. The film is based on the real-life story of Gill, a trans-masculine person; given Johansson is a cisgender woman, many criticized the choice as tone-deaf, given how much trans acting talent exists in Hollywood today. Trans actors are more than capable of portraying their own community. And beyond moral or ethical arguments against it, Johansson’s casting highlights the inherent injustice of casting a cis actor for a trans role: It denies trans actors access to opportunities in an industry where they already face systemic discrimination. Pursuing a trans storyline with cis actors diminishes the multi-faceted, impossibly complex narratives of trans folk, and says we’re incapable of telling our own stories.
Trans people live our lives everyday, and our lives are not costumes. They are real and worthy of celebration. Here are just 13 examples of incredible trans performers working today, should there be any doubt that talent is what's holding Hollywood back from giving trans actors the opportunities they deserve.
LAVERNE COX
If you don’t already know who Laverne Cox is, then this entire list is about to rock your world. From her pioneering role as Sophia on Orange is the New Black to her “Transgender Tipping Point” Time magazine cover, which sparked a global conversation and propelled trans visibility to new heights, Cox is a trailblazer. In 2014, she became the first trans woman to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy award; ever since her 2009 appearance on MTV’s I Want to Work for Diddy, for which she received a GLAAD Media Award, her career in entertainment and activism has catapulted her into the spotlight — and opened doors for many to follow.
ELLIOT FLETCHER
From Faking It to The Fosters and Showtime’s Shameless, Elliot Fletcher is a man of the moment. His recurring roles on these cult classics have exposed countless viewers to trans lives. And off screen, Fletcher inspires youth each and every day by actively engaging with them on social media, where he frequently discusses politics and gender.
TRACE LYSETTE
An Ohio native and mother of the ballroom scene's renowned house of Mizrahi, Trace Lysette is rising from her Midwestern background and career in the underground into a household name. Lysette appeared in Law & Order: Special Crimes Unit in 2013, but her star truly rose as Shea on Amazon’s Transparent. What was meant to be a guest appearance has since grown into a recurring guest role, thanks in no small part to Lysette’s undeniable talent on-screen. The actress uses her newfound platform to speak on issues including trans erasure in the #MeToo movement and in entertainment more broadly, including the recent news with Scarlett Johansson.
ASIA KATE DILLON
Asia Kate Dillon, known for Orange is the New Black as Brandy Epps, went on to make history in 2017, appearing on Showtimes’ Billions as the first non-binary actor to appear on a primetime network television show. The same role earned them a Critics Choice Awards nomination, and when submitting to the Emmys, they were allowed to choose from either of the male or female categories. Dillon chose “actor” because the term is gender-neutral. This prompted the MTV Movie & TV Awards to make their categories completely gender-neutral, meaning Dillon’s decision and activism are making broad impact on the entire industry.
BRIAN MICHAEL SMITH
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
An entertainment industry veteran, Brian Michael Smith came out as transgender last year through Ava DuVernay’s well-acclaimed drama series Queen Sugar on OWN. In an industry that seldom creates trans roles, few center trans-masculine individuals, and even fewer center people of color. Smith’s role on Queen Sugar resonated with many trans-masculine folk of color who continue to fight for increased visibility, and he has since appeared on various panels through GLAAD, OutFest and most recently NYCPride, discussing the vital importance of trans portrayal on screen.
AMIYAH SCOTT
From the ballroom scene in Atlanta and New Orleans to red carpets in New York and LA, Amiyah Scott cannot be stopped. After skyrocketing to social media stardom on Instagram, Scott caught the attention of Lee Daniels, who then asked her to audition for his latest series, Star on Fox. This role made Scott the first trans woman with a regular role on a major network series. Sharing her coming-of-age story as a black trans woman post-Hurricane Katrina, she continues to inspire trans women everywhere — especially in the South — to push through.
ELLIE DESAUTELS
Newcomer Ellie Desautels made their debut on NBC’s Rise, making history as the second nonbinary person to appear on primetime network television show after Dillon. Desautels was inspired to audition for this momentous role after seeing Elliot Fletcher and other transmasculine and non-binary actors on television, and now, they have the opportunity to expand their platform, inspiring trans youth around the world as a result.
ANGELICA ROSS
Angelica Ross is an actress, activist and entrepreneur, and her starring role on the Emmy-winning, trans-centered web series HerStory brought her name into the limelight. Since then, Ross’s credits expanded to include Niecy Nash’s TNT drama Claws and a starring role as Candy on Ryan Murphy’s newest show, Pose. This ground-breaking show has the largest cast of trans actors ever. She received a GLAAD Media Award for appearing on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, discussing her founding of TransTech Social Enterprises, an agency that assists trans folk seeking employment in design, tech and business. Ross brings up the community with her, not only as a role model to emulate but as an active leader in the world.
TOM PHELAN
Tom Phelan first appeared on screen in 2014 as Cole on The Fosters. Previously, young trans adolescents were played by cis actors, such as Jordan Todosey as Adam Torres on Degrassi. As a trans man playing a trans man, Phelan’s portrayal gave more authenticity to the on-screen representation of young trans adolescents. On the show, Cole’s struggles to afford prescribed hormones and with being misgendered resonated with many trans youth. Phelan continues to appear on The Fosters and speak out and often on trans issues.
JAMIE CLAYTON
From MTV’S TRANSform Me with Laverne Cox to her life-changing role as Nomi on Sense8, Jamie Clayton is a woman on a mission. Since her debut in 2009, Clayton expanded her platform with her life-changing Netflix on Sense8. The worldwide cult classic unexpectedly and recently wrapped production, but Clayton continues to work and advocate for positive trans representation.
INDYA MOORE
A rising star from Pose, Indya Moore is a name everyone should know. This New York-native came up in the scene through modelling, with credits including Gucci, Dior and a cameo in J.Views’ music video for “Don’t Push Away.” Her portrayal of Dijon in the 2017 musical drama Saturday Church received widespread acclaim, and Moore is currently working on a new sci-fi project in Japan.
IAN HARVIE
Trans folks often become the punchlines of jokes on TV, but as a trans comedian, Ian Harvie is flipping the script, taking back the narratives of trans-masculine people and recentering trans folk onstage and on screen. He creates stand-up routines centering his life as a trans man from hormone replacement therapy to trans body image. His credits include Mistresses and Transparent, and he’s currently starting in the Off-Broadway production of Log Cabin.
JEN RICHARDS
Writer, actress, activist and producer are just a few of Jen Richards many credits. In 2016, she received an Emmy nomination for HerStory alongside longtime friend Angelica Ross. Richards helped write, direct and produce the series. As founder of the annual Trans100 award ceremony, Richards continually elevates the community. She also appeared on I Am Cait and Nashville with a recurring role.
Get the best of what's queer. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.