Transgender Role Models In The Entertainment Industry

Over the years, Hollywood has progressively gotten more diverse. An example of this are the transgender actors and actresses that have been a part of popular movies and TV shows. People such as Elliot Page, Hunter Schafer, and much more have all had a large impact on the media and have been a huge inspiration for younger people. These actors and actresses positively impacted and influenced other individuals who have had trouble coming out as transgender. Therefore, it is imperative to appreciate these transgender actors and actresses for telling their story and using their platform to give people someone to look up to.

Although these celebrities have had a huge deal of success since their announcement of coming out as transgender, their journey has been difficult and tiresome. Recently, Elliot Page, an academy award nominated actor, gave his first interview about coming out as transgender and he said that it has been “...a complicated journey and an ongoing process.”. However, since his announcement, he has gotten multiple job offers for film and television. With this, there is no doubt that Elliot Page has become an inspiration for those who have come out and those who are struggling with coming out as transgender. For instance, Charlotte Clymer, a transgender veteran wrote on twitter “Elliot Page is a being a leader and beacon of hope to countless trans and non-binary people in this moment, and we are grateful for him,”. Another prominent actor who has had a huge influence on the media is Hunter Schafer, Jules from the hit HBO show “Euphoria.” Hunter Schafer came out as transgender during her freshman year of high school. Since then she has been able to walk the runway for many famous fashion designers such as Helmut Lang, Miu Miu, and Marc Jacobs, not to mention she has garnered over six million followers on Instagram. In an interview with New York Times, Hunter says “Trans people deserve to see themselves represented on their own TV screens, not being inhabited by people who might not completely understand them.”. These two actors out of the many transgender role models in Hollywood have opened many doors and have given many opportunities for other up and coming transgender actors and actresses because the more stars that come out, the better, since examples lead to hope for those struggling.

These transgender role models in the entertainment industry have greatly benefited many people lives by showing them what is possible and that they should always believe in themselves. Hollywood is an ever changing place where celebrities are able to use their platform for the greater good. With new voices being heard everyday and new stories being told, people have been able to accept and express themselves in a number of ways unlike before. Whether it be coming out as bisexual, gay, or transgender there are people in the entertainment industry who have become huge inspirations for others by openly being true to themselves in media.