Out100's empowering trans and nonbinary artist Lío Mehiel

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Michael Tran/Getty Images

Lío Mehiel nonbinary actor transgender artist

Michael Tran/Getty Images

This multihyphenate is making room for the next generation of trans and nonbinary artists

Honoree Lío Mehiel on the transformative power of storytelling.

“Being able to be pictured as mundane and living a mundane life is so important. It humanizes us.” - Lío Mehiel

There are moments when the universe aligns, bringing us recognition and a sense of purpose, life-changing and life-affirming marks that give us strength to push forward.

For Lío Mehiel, being named an Out100 honoree in 2023 was one such moment.

As an actor, artist and advocate, Lío’s journey is a testament to the power of visibility and the transformative power of storytelling. “I was really focused on building my career,” Lío shared, reflecting on their early goals. Their breakthrough role came from the film Mutt, which premiered at Sundance and earned them significant acclaim. Beyond acting, Lío has explored other artistic avenues, including performance and installation art, including a notable project at the Bombay Beach Biennale, where they installed a sculpture in the Salton Sea, and a performance piece showing in galleries in the U.K.

Being part of the Out100 was more than just an accolade; it was a gateway to broader recognition. “Out and this community are global, and being included put me on a national map beyond just the film community,” Lío explained. This recognition helped Lío connect with other honorees like River Gallo and opened doors for future collaborations. “It allowed me to be taken more seriously as a multifaceted artist and someone committed to queer liberation.”

Visibility comes with its own set of challenges.

“With more of a platform, you receive more feedback from people outside your community,” they noted. Despite this, Lío remains undeterred. “Fuck that shit,” they boldly pronounce. “The haters are going to be there, and it’s way more important to be visible for the trans kids who need to see someone like them thriving.”

Along with the honor of being named to the list, Lío was also embarking on another milestone: starting their HRT as part of their transition journey. During last year’s Out100 celebrations, Lío managed a changing voice while networking in a loud, celebratory environment. “It was a funny oxymoron–I was there because of my voice as an artist, yet I couldn’t be heard!”

This year, Lío is excited about their upcoming film projects. In addition to an indie film and exploring a possible collaboration inspired by the documentary Queendom, Lío is making their studio debut in After the Hunt, directed by Challengers’ Luca Guadagnino and starring major names including Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Chloe Sevigny, among others.

Reflecting on their experiences, Lío emphasized the importance of visibility for transmasculine individuals. “Had a movie like Mutt existed when I was younger, my whole life would be different,” they said. They highlighted the need for diverse portrayals of trans people in media, breaking away from stereotypes and showcasing the full spectrum of human experiences. “Being able to be pictured as mundane and living a mundane life is so important. It humanizes us.”

Lío’s advice for young trans individuals is equally profound: “Find community.” Whether online or in person, having a support system is crucial. Lío shared their own experience of finding acceptance and bravery through friendships. “Having someone who sees you and honors you is the most important thing.”

Lío Mehiel’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation, community, and resilience. Their journey is one of breaking barriers and fighting for a future where everyone can thrive. And their work, on and off the screen, continues to inspire and pave the way for the next generation of queer and trans artists.

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Out100, Lío’s story is a beacon of hope. Their story is not just theirs alone- it’s a shared narrative of a community striving for visibility, acceptance, and liberation.

30 Years, 30 Stories: join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Out100 with our Voices essays, featuring powerful personal narratives from past honorees that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community. Unlock the Out100 Vault to explore additional stories and reflect on three decades of progress and resilience. And, while you’re there, don’t forget to cast your vote for this year's Out100 Reader's Choice!

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People

Artists

Disruptors

Educators

Groundbreakers

Innovators

Storytellers

Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard

Out100 | Voices

The bisexual comedy queen who is unfiltered, unstoppable, and always ahead of the curve

From the comedy stage to starring in hit shows like Roseanne and Pose, Sandra Bernhard reflects on her work and being part of the inaugural Out100 list.

30 Years, 30 Stories: join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Out100 with our Voices essays, featuring powerful personal narratives from past honorees that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community. Unlock the Out100 Vault to explore additional stories and reflect on three decades of progress and resilience.

I can't remember the first time I saw Sandra Bernhard on television. Still, I vividly remember how bold, brash, and ahead of the curve she was.

She brought that same energy to our chat. And with her unmistakable candor, Sandra reminisced about her storied career and what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community today.

In 1994, when Sandra was first named in the inaugural Out100 list, her world was different. "I was deep into it, living my life, performing a lot, doing a lot of live shows," she muses. "It was years and years before social media, so people could just be fresh and original and do their thing without the scrutiny and the microscope of today's world." She was also in the midst of her groundbreaking role on Roseanne as Nancy, the first recurring bisexual character on a major TV network.

"Roseanne was very adventurous and way ahead of the curve back then," she recalls. "We just wanted to do a character that was really fun and quirky." Though the character was groundbreaking in terms of bi-representation, Roseanne's Nancy was about existing beyond her queerness. "That's what I love about my work," Sandra affirms. "It's always assuming that everybody else is already caught up with us."

For Sandra, it wasn't about breaking barriers or pushing boundaries but about being herself. "I never felt like I was doing something heroic by being who I was," she says. "I was always out, always authentic."

That sense of authenticity has been a hallmark of Sandra's career, spanning over decades, and she has tackled roles in everything from cult comedies to serious dramas. Among her most recent roles was in the groundbreaking series Pose, covering the 1980s and early '90s New York City ballroom scene. Her character was one that Sandra brought her personal experiences to, seeing it all from the AIDS epidemic to the present-day battles for trans rights. "I've always tried to do roles that align with what I believe," she says. "For me, it wasn't about doing something special."

"Trans people are my family, people I love and have a total connection with."

Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard

But Sandra is never one to rest on her laurels. She's set to appear in the second season of Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians. "It's always amazing to get another role," she says, relishing the opportunity to dive into a fantasy world. "I had to get my face molded for the show… They're making some insane contraption for me and Margaret Cho. I think we're all supposed to be one character. It's a whole other adventure!"

And there's more on the horizon. Sandra is gearing up for a series of performances, including her annual run at Joe's Pub in New York City, where she's known for her sharp wit, incisive commentary, and a knack for summing up the year's events. "I do this every year, a kind of marathon of shows," she explains. "I get to sum up the whole year, and there's so much happening politically."

And Sandra's thoughts on the political and cultural landscape are as sharp as ever.

Outside of her professional life, Sandra is surprisingly leveled. "I love doing day-to-day things," she shares, enjoying everything from shopping at the grocery store to cooking and doing laundry. "I love that insular feeling of being with family and doing things that ground me daily."

Reflecting on her place in the Out100 and what it means to be part of this legacy, Sandra is as thoughtful as ever. "It means so much," she says. I really just want to be a part of the grooviness, goodness, and creativity the LGBTQ+ community is constantly at the forefront of."

And for Sandra, that's what it's all about. Being part of something bigger, something transformative, and something real. She's a force of nature, a trailblazer, and, most importantly, a storyteller who's always ready to push the envelope just a little bit further.

As she says, "I'm halfway to my destination. So if you want to come along, just jump in the back seat."

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People

Artists

Disruptors

Educators

Groundbreakers

Innovators

Storytellers

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman, she tirelessly champions voices from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each story with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @ageofadelina.

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visible & vibrant

This multihyphenate is making room for the next generation of trans and nonbinary artists

Honoree Lío Mehiel on the transformative power of storytelling.

From the comedy stage to starring in hit shows like Roseanne and Pose, Sandra Bernhard reflects on her work and being part of the inaugural Out100 list.

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière