Entertainment has been pushing its boundaries for a long time, and it appears that with the increased visibility of trans and nonbinary people, they have gone a step further in a very impressive way. Not only are the creators becoming the faces of the industry, but they are also leading the industry to become more liberal and humane; thus, it is progress that cannot be measured by single acts only. These eight transgender and nonbinary trailblazers are listed in reverse order of those whose talent, social work, and just being them positively influenced the scene and, consequently, made their imprint last indefinitely.
8. Susan Stryker
Before there was even the concept of trans studies, Susan Stryker was the person who cleared the path. She redefined the concept of the essay with her disruptive text in 1993, “My Words to Victor Frankenstein Above the Village of Chamounix”, which she very memorably did in a performance that united intellect and activism; she was wearing combat boots and a ripped Transgender Nation t-shirt. By doing so, she made room for trans artists and scholars to be recognized, listened to, and valued, and in a lot of ways, she was a pioneer in both the academic world and the outside world as well.
7. Dylan Mulvaney
Dylan Mulvaney’s “Days of Girlhood” TikTok series, which has amassed one billion views, has won its popularity through the combination of humor, love, and creative representation. As a result, Dylan has taken the switch to a movement from Broadway to a sold-out Edinburgh Fringe show and a NYT Best-Seller, Paperdoll: Notes of a Late Bloomer. The money that was collected at their live show at The Rainbow Room was almost $200,000 for The Trevor Project, thus making the point that, indeed, trans joy can be both viral and transformational.
6. Peppermint
Peppermint was one of the first out trans contestants to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race and went on to be the first trans woman to create a principal role on Broadway in Head Over Heels. Outside of the stage, she is the first-ever Artist Ambassador for Trans Justice with the ACLU, raises money for LGBTQ+ groups, hosts her own podcast, Black Queer Town Hall, and stars in Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest and Hulu’s Fire Island. Peppermint proves you can be a performer and a tireless advocate.
5. Alex Newell
Alex Newell’s powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence have redefined what it means to shine on Broadway. With a Tony win for SHUCKED, a Grammy nomination, and nine Tony nods for Once On This Island, Alex has shattered ceilings while celebrating individuality. Recognized by TIME 100 Next and Variety’s New Power of New York, they prove that a Broadway star doesn’t need to fit a binary to leave their indelible mark.
4. L Morgan Lee
L Morgan Lee is an incredible force unto themselves within theatre. A Tony, Drama League, and Lortel award nominee and Obie winner for A Strange Loop, Lee focuses on nuanced storytelling that has often gone untold. Beyond performing, Lee works as a director, writer, educator, and advisory board member with Breaking the Binary Theatre Company to shape inclusive theatre for the next generation.
3. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox became a household name for her role as Sophia Burset on Orange is the New Black, where she made history as the first openly transgender actress nominated for a Primetime Emmy. She’s also produced impactful documentaries like The T Word and Disclosure, starring in such shows as Inventing Anna and Promising Young Woman, while using her platform to fight for trans rights. Cox has helped change how the world sees and talks about transgender lives.
2. Mj Rodriguez & the Cast of Pose
Pose not only broke the mold but also changed the whole concept of representation. The series focused on the lives of trans people of color both as characters and crew members, and in response, dealt with issues such as AIDS, racism, and poverty while still being able to present ballroom culture and high-energy storytelling. Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Hailie Sahar, and Angelica Ross didn’t just become icons-they proved that real representation has the power to educate, entertain, and inspire at the same time.
1. Billy Porter
Billy Porter exemplifies one of the bravest things in the world without any dilution. He made history at The Emmys, being the first openly gay Black man to win in a leading role for Pose, but his influence is way beyond accolades. Porter coaches the next generation of artists, defies the limits of fashion on the red carpet, and is, without a doubt, the most fabulous, femme, and leading man kind of character if such a thing exists. He has forever changed the cultural conversation through his unapologetic authenticity.
Trans and nonbinary people coming to terms with themselves and the world is not only about the fact that they get roles in shows and movies, but also about the recognition and respect that they receive, and the fact that they are celebrated.
Nonnegative representation gives power and support, and often it is a matter of life and death, as every research done by The Trevor Project clearly shows. We owe the present and the future of entertainment to these pioneers, by whom it has become bigger, bolder, and more inclusive than ever. The stage has become wider, the stories more diverse, and the future is brighter.