49 Trans Celebrities Breaking Boundaries in Hollywood and Beyond (2024)

Elliot has been on several TV shows, including The Fosters. In one scene of the series, his transgender character had an intimate scene with a cisgender character, which is very likely the first time that's happened on U.S. network television.

"I hope that people watching this show can see how it's not only normal, but how loving and sweet and romantic it can be," he told TVGuide.com.

Juliana made history playing Nikki on Raven's Home, the first trans character on Disney Channel.

"The reality is that most [people in] this country have never met a trans person, let alone knows and engages with one personally," she told Refinery29. "What they see on TV about us is how they form their opinions and what they start to believe. We need to put [our stories] out there until they become the norm."

In 2020, transgender actor Sasha played a transgender character in the movie Cowboys.

"There's not very many roles for trans kids, even small roles, they're just not very many," Sasha told Out about his work in Cowboys, "especially transmasculine roles. It's cool to be a part of something that's breaking barriers." Sasha later had a recurring role on The Santa Clauses.

Hunter's portrayal of Jules in Euphoria is an example of the importance of trans representation for teens. In the show, Jules is very open about her identity and is confident in herself.

Still, Hunter believes the media still has a long way to go when it comes to trans representation. "There need to be more roles where trans people aren't just dealing with being trans; they're being trans while dealing with other issues," she told Variety. "We're so much more complex than just one identity."

Schwoz from Henry Danger told Time in 2019 he "was misgendered at birth." He transitioned in 2000. "I identify as male, and I am proud that I have had a transgender experience — a transgender journey."

Michael's co-star and lead of Henry Danger, Jace Norman, told Time in an email that Michael's transition "didn’t change anything about the high level of respect and admiration [he has] for the guy." Jace also said, "It’s in the best interest of the entire world to have every type of person represented on TV."

Zaya Wade is the 15-year-old daughter of retired NBA player Dwyane Wade. After she publicly came out as trans in 2019, Dwyane told The Today Show that being her dad has helped him grow.

"I didn't know anything, really wasn't knowledgeable about the LGBTQ+ community," he said. "What it has done is it opened my eyes and my ears to something greater and bigger than I, and my daughter has allowed us gracefully to be her support system. She's the strong one in this family. She's a hero."

Petey played C on Alert: Missing Persons Unit and had a scene where his character revealed to his crush that he's transgender. This was also the moment the audience learned C is transgender.

"My greatest hope, for folks that don’t think they know a trans person, is that they are able to draw a straight line between having loved this guy before and finding out he’s trans," Petey told GLAAD. "Now they know a trans person — a smart, trustworthy, loving guy who also is trans."

After showing off photos of her changing style and appearance on Instagram for a year, Tommy Dorfman announced she's trans in an interview with Time in July 2021.

"I kept, on Instagram, a diaristic time capsule instead—one that shows a body living in a more fluid space," she explained about her decision to continue posting on social media. "However, I’ve learned as a public-facing person that my refusal to clarify can strip me of the freedom to control my own narrative. With this medical transition, there has been discourse about my body, and it began to feel overwhelming. So, recently I looked to examples of others who have come out as trans. There’s the version I couldn’t really afford to do, which is to disappear for two years and come back with a new name, new face and new body. But that’s not what I wanted."

If you recognize Zión, it's because she's currently staring as Luna in the Gossip Girl reboot on HBO Max. Luna is actually the first trans character in the show's history, but showrunner Joshua Safran said Luna's identity won't come up in the plot this season.

"I don’t know how oblique there is of a reference to it," he told Variety. "But yeah, Luna is a trans woman in the show. We decided as writers that this isn’t a show that’s about how she became her authentic self. That’s just not our story. Luna is Luna to these people, and that’s that."

In December 2020, Elliot revealed on social media that he is trans and goes by he/they pronouns. "I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life," he wrote. "I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey. I can't begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. I've been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community."

They ended their note, writing, "I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse, and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better. Thank you for reading this. All my love, Elliot."

German pop star Kim Petras made her way onto the mainstream music scene in 2017 and has gone on to create bops like "Clarity," "There Will Be Blood," and her No. 1 single with Sam Smith, "Unholy."

Per MTV News, Kim was actually the youngest person to get gender reassignment surgery in 2009, when she was just 16 years old. Before the 2020 election, Kim joined forces with MTV, LogoTV, and Trans Lifeline to provide grant money for trans people to update their IDs.

Sophie is a pioneer in music thanks to her experimental hyper-pop style. The producer and singer, who passed away after a tragic accident in 2021, has worked with artists like Madonna, Charli XCX, and Kim Petras. In 2018, she became the first openly transgender artist to be nominated for a Grammy in the Best Dance/Electronic category.

Her collaborator, Kim, made history as the first transgender woman to win a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2023. She paid tribute to the late musician in her acceptance speech, saying, "I just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open before me so I could be here tonight. Sophie, especially, my friend who passed away two years ago, who told me this would happen and always believed in me. Thank you so much for your inspiration, Sophie. I adore you, and your inspiration will forever be in my music."

Per an interview with The Luna Collective, the "(You) On My Arm" singer-songwriter uses they/them pronouns and came out as gay when they were in college.

"It was definitely much harder to come out as trans a couple years later," they explained to the publication. "That one specifically has been a constant, difficult journey of realizing that I'm going to have to come out a million times a month for the rest of my life, especially entering music spaces. It's a bit exhausting, but you have to do it. I have to be true to myself and correct people when I can."

Emira D’spain —a.k.a @xoxoemira online — is a TikTok star and the former beauty director at Paper. She constantly posts "Get Ready With Me" videos on her TikTok where her bubbly personality shines through and became the first Black transgender model to work with Victoria's Secret as a part of their Valentine's Day social campaign in 2022.

"My entire platform is built on confidence and self-love," Emira told Seventeen. "I want to empower young trans women and men around the world to show them that the beauty and fashion industries are changing! Especially if you are a POC. I am so grateful to work with Victoria's Secret and hope this paves the way for those after me."