One of my favorite excerpts from the news story -  Scripted drama is also a way to look at how trans people are being written into the narrative of American culture, not as marginal outsiders or issue-related guest stars, but as valued and beloved central players.

On Television, More Transgender Characters Come Into Focus
Neda Ulaby; National Public Radio
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/04/23/306166533/on-television-more-transgender-characters-come-into-focus

Yes, it's good to see better representation. My preference is to see trans characters being played by trans actors/actresses - most times they get a cis woman to play a trans woman. There is a character in Elementary, Ms Hudson the house keeper, who is trans* and is played by a trans actress. Despite being the housekeeper she's only been seen once since her introductory episode last year - that was in the most recent episode, she had one line and half a scene

I'd like to see trans actresses play trans characters,having said that Walton Goggins performance as Venus in Sons of Anarchy was awesome.Sadly Venus was written as a transexual hooker but came across as basically a good person when she rescued her son from child pornographers with help from the Sons of Anarchy and Venus and Tig made a lovely couple.

Interesting: the mention that trans women outnumber trans men in media. I wonder if that mirrors most people's personal experiences. Trans men blend in because of the universal availability of testosterone gel and its ability to completely mask feminine facial characteristics, whereas most people have come across a non-passing trans woman who couldn't afford FFS and so must parade a strong jaw and prominent brow ridge for all to see.