If you’ve been watching movies and TV for the last few decades, you’re aware of how far the representation of trans lives has come. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but every step, whether messy or magical, has served to advance the culture. Here’s a countdown of ten crucial moments that have transformed the way we view trans people on screen.
10. A Musical Reinvention: Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley newly invigorated this timeless tale with a world-premiere musical that puts trans voices front and center. Shakina not only played Joanne but also wrote the lyrics, bringing lived experience to a role previously acted by Karen Black. She demanded that Joe role central to the story, be played by a trans man to maintain authenticity at all levels. Shakina summed it up best: trans stories open hearts, and that is precisely what this show did.
9. Trans Teens Take Their Place on TV
Trans teens were long invisible or misrepresented on television. But figures like Euphoria’s Jules Vaughn and Heartstopper’s Elle are changing all that. Hunter Schafer’s Jules is a burst of color and complexity, and Yasmin Finney’s Elle exudes trans happiness in a family-friendly teen show. Both these characters remind young people everywhere that trans kids can dream, love, and flourish.
8. The Streaming Era: Highs and Lows
Netflix, HBO, and others have given us some of the most iconic trans and nonbinary characters of recent years—such as Viktor Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy), Rose Noble (Doctor Who), and Sabi (Sort Of). Progress, though, is not always linear: GLAAD’s most recent report finds a dramatic drop in the number of trans characters on TV and streaming. And yet, when these tales do materialize, such as Yasmin Finney joining the Doctor Who universe, they are game-changing reminders of the potential.
7. Firsts at Awards Season
Exposure has also led to history-making victories. Laverne Cox was the first openly trans individual to win a Daytime Emmy as an EP and appeared on the cover of Time. Kim Petras made waves during the Grammys, becoming the first trans woman to win her category while celebrating Sophie, another trailblazing trans artist. These firsts indicate trans excellence celebrated on the global stage.
6. The Wachowskis and the Trans Allegory of The Matrix
The Matrix trilogy was always read as a tale of transformation and identity. In the intervening years since, both Lana and Lilly Wachowski publicly identified as trans, which verified what many fans had intuited all along. Being open made a sci-fi franchise one of the most talked-about allegories for the trans life, and established the sisters as two of Hollywood’s most powerful trans creators.
5. Elliot Page and Viktor Hargreeves’ Coming-Out Story
When Elliot Page came out in 2020, no one knew how The Umbrella Academy would approach his transition. The writers met the moment with grace by incorporating Viktor Hargreeves’ coming out into the show in a natural, heartfelt manner. His siblings’ openness seemed both revolutionary and refreshingly mundane. Viktor’s arc showed trans characters could simply be part of the team heroes, family, world-savers.
4. Transmasc Stories Get in the Spotlight
For too long, transmasculine characters did not exist or were simply misrepresented. With movies like Cowboys and Close to You, that’s all about to change. Sasha Knight’s turn as a young trans boy in Cowboys is unflinching and powerful, and Elliot Page’s performance in Close to You showcases the sensitivity of transmasc identity. Casting trans actors in these roles is more than symbolic; it’s authenticity.
3. Expanding the Story: Intersectionality Matters
Representation isn’t just about numbers; it’s about who is visible. Though trans women, especially white trans women, have become visible, representation of Black trans men and other marginalized groups is still sparse. Shows like Pose have provided space for trans people of color, and activists like Dominique Morgan are still pushing for a broader representation of stories.
2. The Value in Representing Trans Youth
Seeing yourself on screen can transform. It’s supported by research: good LGBTQ+ representation in media enhances school climate and youth wellbeing. Trans kids should have characters who navigate the same joys and struggles as any other teenager, friendships, first crushes, and day-to-day escapades, not only stories of strife.
1. Laverne Cox: A Trailblazer Like No Other
Heading the list is Laverne Cox, whose performance as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black continues to be a cultural reference point. She’s not just an actress; she’s also an activist, producer, and advocate who has translated visibility into action. As she’s testified, by embracing her trans and queer identity, she’s been able to grow and flourish. Laverne opened doors that were shut for decades, and in doing so, she inspired a generation.
Trans representation is not merely about appearing on screen; it’s about reframing culture and broadening empathy. From landmark musicals to breakout Netflix originals, from up-and-coming youth sensations to legendary trailblazers, these moments speak for themselves: narrative has the power to transform hearts and futures alike.