10 Transgender People Shattering Entertainment's Glass Ceiling
4.16.2014
By Stacy Lambe
http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2013/08/22/10-transgender-people-shattering-entertainments-glass-ceiling?utm_content=buffer6691e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=bufferWith the success of Orange Is The New Black, Laverne Cox's name is suddenly on everyone's lips. And rightfully so. Her portrayal of a trans woman prisoner, Sophia Burset, showcases a lot depth rarely seen in transgender characters on television. In fact, her character (in addition to Unique, the character played by biological male Alex Newell on Glee) may be the first time many viewers have seen a transgender person on TV or seen their characters portrayed with such complexity and truth. It's probably why BuzzFeed proclaimed she "broke the trans glass ceiling." Yet, she's not alone in her success. Cox may have shattered the ceiling, but these nine other entertainers splintered the glass before her. Together, they are all helping Hollywood showcase a positive, insightful look at the transgender community.
Chaz Bono, Advocate/Writer
In 2008, it was confirmed by Bono's publicist that he was transitioning. The news caused a media frenzy that put a lot of attention on Bono's personal transformation. Bono eventually turned his story into the documentary, Becoming Chaz, which premiered at Sundance in 2011 and later debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Bono has also written several books depicting his life as a gay woman and a trans man.
