Breaking the mold on trans representation in media from tokenism to triumph

We are living in a world where trans people are community leaders, business owners, military officers, and government officials. This is the most visible time we've ever been seen.

Yet, there are still those in society who believe they don't know a trans person.

I'm a student of the arts, an actor, and a dancer. I'm also trans, but it's not the first thing I want people to know when they think about me. Despite the wide range of trans visibility in pop culture, it feels surreal to explain to someone that being transgender is a valid identity. That we deserve care, respect, and opportunities as our cisgender peers.

And that we can find understanding by the stories we see.

Art has always been how I've interacted with and made sense of the world, allowing me to explore my identity, heritage, and sense of self. But what is frustrating, especially as a young trans artist, is the lack of power we have in controlling our narratives in entertainment and the media.

People tend to hold on to dated stereotypes of trans folks portrayed in movies, TV shows, and theater. Many of the trans characters we see can feel tokenizing, solely focused on their transness rather than the whole person. Their storylines are often tragic or for comedic relief.

I'm tired of these tropes.

Like everybody else, trans people experience moments of profound joy and also cope with moments of deep sorrow. We can be loud, outgoing, and witty if we want to. We can also be introverts who live quiet lives.

As an artist, I want to see more trans actors cast for traditional roles. I want to see stories about trans joy, the full spectrum of our experiences, and all the colors of our lives. I want to see more roles where being trans is just part of the character's identity and not their entire personality.

Recently, I saw RuPaul's Drag Racealum and transgender icon Jinkx Monsoon play Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Her performance shook me to my very core. Seeing her in a leading role on Broadway sent a clear message: my dreams are possible, my existence is valid, and that could be me one day on stage.

That's the power of representation. When you cast trans actors for leading roles, you inspire the next generation of artists and invest in the industry's future.

Entertainment and media are often the first places individuals are introduced to transgender individuals and stories. This industry mustn't take that understanding lightly. With the rise of misinformation, we must give trans people a chance to tell their own stories.

Through initiatives led by advocacy groups, we can continue championing to show how other trans people can live happy and healthy lives surrounded by a supportive and loving community.

We want to live our lives without fear.

Trans people are here, we've been here, and we're not going anywhere. I'm here as a trans woman to share my story with the world.

Nadya is a 20-year-old student studying performing arts and fashion design, passionate about creative expression. As a performer, she feels strongly about properly representing trans people in the media, television, and theater industries. Nadya believes that being yourself is the most powerful thing anyone can do, and her story is inspiring queer and trans students around the country to live authentically. Nadya is a central part of "Here We Are,” a national storytelling campaign that shares real stories of transgender people, created in partnership between GLAAD and GROUND Media.

Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit out.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of Out or our parent company, equalpride.