These 20 Transgender Celebs Are Out and Proud

12th January, 2021

firstevent.org

Coming out can be hard, and it is even harder when you’re in the spotlight. Here are 20 celebs who are out and proud despite the challenges they’ve faced. Gender is fluid. While some identify themselves with the sex assigned at birth, some don’t. The transition, without a doubt, takes a toll on one’s mental and physical health. Despite all the hardships the transgender community goes through, they are a force to be reckoned with. Their ability to speak out, shatter boundaries, and bring more talented trans people into the spotlight is astounding. Here are 20 transgender celebs who have continued to inspire us.

medium.com

Elliot Page

Elliot Page recently announced his translation on social media. In response, he received a ton of love and support from fans, activists, and transgender advocates. The Inception actor took to social media to express his feelings, saying it felt remarkable that he could love and pursue his authentic self. He has truly inspired several transgender people to love and be themselves.

www.vanityfair.com

Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner is one of the most iconic and famous names in the transgender community. She came out as trans in 2015 on the cover of “Vanity Fair” with a title that read “Call me Caitlyn.” She has inspired several people with her courage, transitioning story, and the struggles she went through to finally come out as a transgender woman.

www.metroweekly.com

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox is best known for her work in the Netflix hit show Orange is the new Black. She is the first transgender woman to appear on the cover of “Time” and “Cosmopolitan” magazines. She was also the first transgender woman to be nominated for an Emmy award. Cox is an activist who successfully brought the trans rights movement to light.

www.nbcnews.com

Lana Wachowski

The Matrix directors, Lana and Lilly Wachowski, are both transgender sisters who created one of the most phenomenal movie series of all time. Lana came out as a trans woman in 2010. And her work as a director has been influential. She, along with her sister, have broken gender roles and stereotypes, and their acceptance has less more than inspirational.

www.them.us

Elliot Fletcher

The Fosters star, Elliot Fletcher, came out as transgender after his 17th birthday. In an interview, he once said that along with being a spectacular actor, he wishes to be a strong transgender rights advocate. Besides being an activist, Elliot is the first transgender to play two recurring roles in major shows and has successfully managed to inspire thousands of teens.

www.them.us

Janet Mock

Janet Mock is a TV host, best-selling author, public speaker, and activist. She actively uses her platform to discuss and enlighten people about transgender rights and issues. At the 2017 Women’s March, Mock took to the stage to heighten the inclusion and acceptance of women’s rights. She is also the first openly transexual woman of color to sign a deal with Netflix.

www.wndrwmn.com

Candis Cayne

ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money star Candis Cayne brought transgenders in the spotlight after appearing on the cover of leading magazines like “Star” and “People.” She is Caitlyn Jenner’s confidante on I am Cait and is often seen accompanying Ms. Jenner to meet transgender activists. She was also the first transgender actress to play a transgender role on television.

www.reuters.com

Renée Richards

Renee Richards became one of the first spokespersons of the transgender community. She challenged the United States Tennis Association after their decision to not permit her to compete in the women's category, which eventually led to the reversal of the ban. This verdict made history for Renee Richards and the rest of the transgender community by portraying acceptance and visibility.

www.teenvogue.com

Isis King

Isis King was the first transgender woman to compete in the reality television show America’s Next Top Model. She was one of the most visible transgender women on television, and that attracted a lot of attention to the transgender community. King’s road to fame was rocky. But, despite the comments and cynicism, King managed to make it as a model and actor.

www.latimes.com

Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono is an author, musician, and actor. He has written several books, and his book Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man talks about his transitioning journey. Chaz Bono faced several derogatory comments and remarks in his life; however, the realization, confidence, and acceptance have proved to be a huge inspiration for many transgender people out there.

noonecares.me

Jenna Talackova

Jenna Talackova triumphed in a legal battle, allowing her to compete as Miss Universe Canada. She has become a role model and an inspiration for the persistence and courage she showed while fighting her legal battle. She made headlines on both national and international television over her fight and victory. Although she didn’t win the title, she did win the title of Miss Congeniality.

www.advocate.com

Alexandra Billings

Alexandra Billings is well known for her contribution to television shows and movies like How to Get Away with Murder, Transparent, and Grey’s Anatomy. She has also received several awards, like the After Dark, TPA, and Rainbow Spirit awards. Additionally, her life story, portrayed in the famous documentary Schoolboy to Showgirl, was nominated for an Emmy.

www.irishmirror.ie

Caroline Cossey

Caroline Cossey, a British model and actress, is best known for her role as Tula in the Bond movie For Your Eyes Only. She was in the limelight of glamor and fame before a journalist outed her sexuality. She was mocked and threatened and struggled for several years after. However, she fought and inspired several transgender women to accept themselves for who they are.

greysanatomy.fandom.com

Alex Blue Davis

Alex is a well-known name in the movie industry. He is famous for his roles in leading shows like Two Broke Girls and Grey’s Anatomy. That’s not all. Alex is also an Indie rock musician and has been named as one of the top five up-and-coming solo artists by “Music Connect.” He is a humble, talented, confident, and inspirational figure in the transgender community.

www.tampabay.com

Raffi Freedman-Gurspan

Raffi Freedman-Gurspan is a notable name in the transgender community. She was appointed by former President Barack Obama, making her the first openly transgender woman staff member at the White House. She was a vocal advocate and activist of the transgender community preceding her career in politics. She also led economic and racial justice initiatives when she served as a policy advisor for the National Centre for Transgender Equality.

inmagazine.ca

Vivek Shraya

Vivek Shraya, an author, actress, and musician, is on her way to achieving even greater things. Her album Part Time Woman was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. She was also the Pride Toronto Grand Marshal in 2016 and a six-time Lambda Literary Award finalist. Vivek Shraya has won several awards and honors for her contribution to arts and activism.

www.reddit.com

Balian Buschbaum

Balian Buschbaum, formerly known as Yvonne Buschbaum, represented Germany in the 2000 Olympics as a female pole vaulter. He announced his retirement from the sport to begin his journey of transitioning. He participated in Germany’s version of Dancing with the Stars and is currently a coach, trainer, and nutritionist. His new name was inspired by the movie Kingdom of Heaven.

www.rediff.com

Ines Rau

Ines Rau is a stunning French model and activist who has worked with a few of the biggest photographers in the industry. Although she is a rather private person, she had aligned with a French News Channel to be the subject of an episode focusing on a day in her life. It was called “A Day in the Life of a Transgendered Model.”

www.nzherald.co.nz

Georgina Beyer

Georgina Beyer was first elected to be the mayor of a town called Carterton in 1995. She was the first transgender woman to hold an office in New Zealand and became the world’s first parliament member after being elected for the Labour Party. In 2007, she resigned from the parliament, but she actively continues to speak about LGBTQ+ rights and is an icon.

www.app.com

Carmen Carrera

Carmen Carrera is a model, actor, fashion aficionado, and activist who often volunteers to support human rights. She shot an episode with HBO to raise awareness about the horrifying reality of transgender people in Brazil. Carmen Carrera is also one of the most aspirational transgender women and uses her stage to speak at various conferences and Ivy League colleges on LGBTQ rights.