However, this day is about celebrating the living and showing our pride. It’s a day to look back at how far we’ve come and what we’ve accomplished and make plans to go even further in the coming year.

Despite some setbacks, we certainly do have a lot to celebrate.

Visibility Wins

Lavern Cox Proves She Isn’t Going Anywhere

Ms. Cox made waves when she hit the scene three years back by being cast as Sophia Burset in the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black”. What you might not know is that the talented 31-year-old actress has been working steadily for several years now leading up to her star-making turn. She has had roles in 13 movies, and many TV shows including two of the Law and Order series, and the Mindy Project. Not to mention she has been cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the upcoming remake of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. We are so excited for her success and we believe we can count on Lavern Cox being around for a long time. Hopefully, we will see her playing more women (period), and not just transgender women.

Our First Transgender Oscar Nominee

Anohni was the first transgender performer to ever be nominated for an Oscar. She was nominated for best original song for “Manta Ray”, which was a collaboration with J. Ralph and used in the documentary, “Racing Extinction”. A historic moment to be sure.

However, there is a loss in there too. Which you’ll see below.

Lilly Wachowski Joins Her Sister

We first reported about Lilly Wachowski, one half of the Wachowski directing duo, coming out as transgender a few weeks back. You, of course, know Lilly and Lana as the directors of the Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta, and Cloud Atlas. While her hand might have been forced in coming out, it’s a tremendous moment of visibility to have two high-profile directors like the Wachowskis both come out and further show, we aren’t on the fringe- and we will no longer settle for being put there.

Caitlyn Jenner Brings High-Profile Visibility

Despite her many…uh…flubs (we will get to them), Caitlyn Jenner made huge waves with her coming out this year. Never before had the community gotten so much mainstream media attention. While she has brought some negative attention as well, she has contributed by sparking a conversation about transgender people and forcing mainstream media to acknowledge us. And her magazine cover was pretty awesome too.

Larger Visibility in Politics

It has been a tumultuous year in politics for transgender people. However, there have been highlights. Mostly, the discourse and discord in politics over transgender people has really brought out who our allies are and who are at least willing to admit transgender people aren’t a clear and present danger. Even republicans like Stephanie Clayton (R) from Kansas, who spoke out against some egregious legislation that puts a bounty on trans students heads. She is opposing the bill, reminding congress that perhaps they should be more worried with keeping schools open and the dire financial situation they face, rather than worry about who is using what restroom.

Another show of support came in from Rep. Mike Honda, who proudly displays the transgender pride flag outside his office in Washington D.C.

I'm proud to display the #transgender flag outside my DC office on International Transgender Day of Visibility #tdov pic.twitter.com/EBnUFqmlK0

— Rep. Mike Honda (@RepMikeHonda) March 31, 2016

The entire city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada is showing their support by lighting up the city in pink, white and blue. That’s a lot of visibility.

Companies Standing Against Bigotry

There is currently some legislation in Georgia that threatens to remove any protections that are offered to LGBT people, in particular transgender people. While that is certainly not a win, there is a huge win that has come from it. Several businesses have stood up and said they will boycott the entire state including several studios threatening to cripple the Georgia Film Commission. Despite the lucrative incentives provided to draw studios to film there, many studios have stated that if the bill is passed that they will no longer be producing in Georgia. Marvel and Disney in particular have come out as strong opponents, as well as the producers of the hit show “The Walking Dead” who have threatened to pull all production.

Visibility Losses

Photo by Alice O’Malley

The Oscars Cut Anohni

While her nomination was a huge achievement and a great win for our community, it was soured by the Academy subsequently cutting Anohni’s performance at the Oscars in favor of other nominees in the category like Sam Smith, Lady Gaga, and the Weeknd. It was a strange move to not include this nominee when others were invited over her. Especially given the good will and visibility it would have given. Even if the Academy wanted to look at it selfishly, it would have been great publicity.

Now however, they have a different publicity as Anohni declined to attend the event due to her exclusion. She wrote about her reasoning for Pitchfork.

“I am the only transgendered performer ever to have been nominated for an Academy Award, and for that I thank the artists who nominated me,” the essay begins. Anohni adds: “I was in Asia when I found out the news. I rushed home to prepare something, in case the music nominees would be asked to perform. Everyone was calling with excited congratulations. A week later, Sam Smith, Lady Gaga, and the Weeknd were rolled out as the evening’s entertainment with more performers ‘soon to be announced.’ Confused, I sat and waited. Would someone be in touch? But as time bore on I heard nothing.”

Legislation Hasn’t Been Kind

Transgender people have gotten a lot of bad visibility in the form of legislation that seeks to target trans people and paint a target on their back. One such case, as we mentioned before, is in the form of legislation in Kansas that puts a $2500 bounty on the head of every trans student if they are caught in the “wrong bathroom”. And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the outrageous legislation that actually passed in North Carolina. The bill essentially undid the protections provided to transgender people in the state. However, it has been called out by the North Carolina Attorney General who called it “A national embarrassment.” The legislation is currently the focus of a lawsuit against the state and the governor that challenges their decision.

Caitlyn Jenner Won’t Shut Up

At first many were excited to see such a public figure as Caitlyn Jenner come out as transgender. After all, this is an Olympic athlete we are talking about. That’s huge! Then she talked. She has repeatedly put her foot in her mouth about other transgender people, criticizing their journey. Apparently everyone is supposed to just go schedule all of their surgery immediately and not worry about employment or homelessness. She has blasted less-fortunate transgender people for their use of public aid and lack of drive.

Not to mention that Caitlyn, a staunch Republican has publicly praised Donald Trump for president. She claims that he would be fantastic for women’s issues. A move that has baffled most multi-celled organisms. However she has stated that she hasn’t actually endorsed anyone and will instead be voting for whoever the Republican candidate winds up being. Jenner has also made comments condemning gay marriage, and stating that the Republicans would do so much more for transgender people.

She was recently quoted as saying, “I get criticized more for being a Republican than being transgender.”

Gee Caitlyn, I wonder why…

Our Visibility, and Our Future

While I and TOL honor the accomplishments of those that came before us and all the sacrifices they have made, I personally believe this is the single most important time in our history for transgender people. We stand on the precipice of something great. We have hit a “tipping point” in entertainment, we have youngerand younger people coming out and being encouraged and supported, we are part of a national conversation, and we have more public support than we’ve ever had. We are finally beginning to be taken seriously.

This is the time to seize the opportunity. We have to keep our momentum going and capitalize on how much we have going for us. No, it’s not perfect. Yes, we have so far to go. But we cannot ignore how far we’ve come. Those that came before us blazed an indelible trail. It is our time to pave that trail and take our place in society as valued and vital individuals.

We can do great things, if we work together. No more bickering and fighting. No more judging each other because their journey is different than yours. We are equals, we are brothers and sisters. We must hold each other up if we are to have any chance at winning this war.

Let’s see how great we can make the next 365. See you March 31st, 2017.

As was famously reported a few months back, more Americans claim to have seen a ghost than
a trans person. Although they might unwittingly come in contact with trans people every day, most cisgender people know little about others who are trans and end up relying on stereotypes and tropes of trans people that have been promoted by mainstream media over the past several decades. According to Margaret J. Wheatley, “you can’t hate someone whose story you know,” so telling our stories authentically can go a long way toward bringing about understanding and showing the world just how diverse and beautiful the trans community can be.

As a child, I can’t remember representations of trans people I could identify with. When trans
people did appear, more often than not they were depicted as deviants, sex workers, or some kind of villain. One key reason I waited until my 40s to transition was because, until the dawn of the internet, I never knew others like me existed. As time went on and I met others like me online, I found that, although everyone’s stories are a little different, they are all valid and we are all worthy of love and respect.

Trans Media Representation Now

I remember thinking, if only there had been decent representations of the trans experience when I was younger. That ship, of course, has sailed, but we now have perhaps more (and more varied) trans depictions in the media than ever before. Some just show the same tired stereotypes and tropes as always, and many trans people are still portrayed in movies and TV by cisgender actors, but a growing number of representations are emerging that really don’t suck.

Here then, is my list of media representations that I think don’t suck. Of course, nothing’s
perfect, and some of these are far from it. There is something in each of these, though, that I find authentic and/or uplifting. You will notice that almost all of the actors and personalities mentioned are themselves trans and, in some cases, there are trans producers, directors, writers, and others involved. It might be possible for a cisgender person to authentically portray a trans person (a debate that rages on), but authenticity is more likely where trans people have had creative input.

Tangerine (Feature film, 2015)

Alexandra and Sin-Dee (Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez)

Tangerine follows friends Alexandra (Mya Taylor) and Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriquez) through the streets of LA on Christmas Eve. Fresh out of jail, Sin-Dee finds out her boyfriend (also her pimp) has cheated on her while she was away, and she goes off to confront him after finding the girl he cheated with. Alexandra tries to catch Sin-Dee before she does something foolish.

Along the way, she fights with a John, meets up with one of her regulars, and finds her dreams dashed when no one shows to hear her sing at the club where she had to pay to perform. There are stereotypes galore, but, with a large number or young trans people (especially those of color) on the streets, there is more than a kernel of truth to these characters. Taylor and Rodriquez authentically depict the struggles of these girls’ lives. Also, this film is a great (if unlikely) illustration of the power of friendship.

Transparent (Amazon Prime Series, 2014-2015)

Maura (Jeffrey Tambor), Davina (Alexandra Billings), Dale (Ian Harvie), Gittel (Hari Neff)

I admit that I have reservations about Tambor (a cis man) playing newly transitioning Maura Pfefferman. Maura is the only character in this list played by a cis person, but she is also the only character in this list still in transition. Her transition and how it affects her family makes up the bulk of the story in this show, and it might have been difficult to find someone trans to portray a 60-something trans woman in the very early stages of transition. For a cis man, Tambor seems pretty authentic as Maura. As an older trans woman myself, I buy Tambor’s portrayal 99% of the time. Beyond that, Tambor is surrounded by a sizable number of trans cast members. Most notable are Alexandra Billings as Davina (Maura’s friend and ersatz guide to all things trans), Ian Harvie as Dale (a brief love interest of Maura’s daughter and the only trans man on this list), and Hari Neff as Gittel, a transgender ancestor of the Pfefferman’s who lived in Weimar Germany. Trans man Rhys Ernst is a producer for the show, and the second season saw the addition of trans woman Our Lady J to the writer’s room. That doesn’t mean that the show always captures the essence of what it means to be trans, but it seems to succeed more than it fails.

Sens8 (Netflix series, 2015)

Nomi (Jamie Clayton)

Nomi is a young trans woman somehow connected to a group of 7 other people around the world. The idea that she is just another part of this group of 8, from various walks of life all around the world, is a big part of why I like this representation. Showing some of what she has to go through as a trans person (her mother tries to have her committed, for instance) without sensationalism also goes a long way toward making this character complex and authentic. So does her relationship with girlfriend Amanita (Freema Agyeman), since so many portrayals are
of trans woman attracted to or in a relationship with a man.

Like a few others on this list, Clayton’s appearance is supported by trans representation behind
the camera as well. Two of the three producers, Lana and Lilly Wachowski, are themselves trans women. The only drawback I see here is how isolated Nomi is as a trans woman. You would think with two of the three main minds behind the show being trans that Nomi would interact with or at least mention other friends who are trans, but this seems like a minor problem. For the most part, this a pretty positive trans media representation.

Boy Meets Girl (Feature film, 2015)

Ricky (Michelle Hendley)

Ricky is your typical young woman in a small Southern town, trying to find her way out, overcome the odds, find love, and pursue her dreams. Oh yeah, and she happens to be trans. What I like about this trans media representation is that, although other characters have reactions to her being trans, it is still just one small part of the story. The biggest problem I have is with the improbable happy ending, wherein even her fiercest antagonist comes over to her side. Overall, though, this is a film worth watching.

Her Story (Web series, 2016)

What if I told you there is a web series about trans women in which the characters were portrayed by trans actresses, and trans people were a key part of just about every role behind the camera as well? Well, there is and it’s called “Her Story.” Angelica Ross plays Paige, an attorney for Lambda Legal who meets cute, nice guy James (Christian Ochoa), and has to determine if or when she should tell him she is trans. Meanwhile, Allie (Laura Zak), a reporter from the local LGBT paper, approaches Paige’s friend Violet (Jen Richards) for an interview about what it is like to be trans. The interview leads to friendship with more than a hint of romance. Allie also learns about the biases of cisgender lesbians when her friends react negatively to her relationship with Violet.

This series is the poster child for trans representation: In trans women Richards and Ross star, and Richards co-wrote the series with Zak. Also, the director is Sidney Freeland, director of the Sundance award-winning film Drunktown’s Finest, and , oh yeah-also a trans woman. Trans people were involved in this film at just about all levels, making this probably the most representative piece of trans media representation for trans women to date.

If there is any drawback to Her Story, it is that, currently, it’s only a web series with a collection of 6 episodes running around 10 minutes each. The hope (from fans and those behind the project) is for a major outlet to pick it up and run it as an actual TV series. Here’s hoping this happens soon.

What trans media representation do you think doesn’t suck? Share in the comments below!