Parker Molloy
07.26.14

The model Andreja Pejić has come out as a transgender woman. Away from the glowing testimonials, the fight for trans equality remains gritty.

Over the past year, it seems as though transgender issues have finally begun to resonate with the public consciousness. From Laverne Cox's Time magazine cover and subsequent Emmy nomination to the release of Janet Mock's stunningly successful memoir, by outward appearances, the state of trans issues seems to be improving at a rapid pace.

Beneath the stories of success and recognition, however, is an epidemic of discrimination, assault, poverty, and murder. While both Mock and Cox have taken up the mantle of activist, working tirelessly to highlight these oft-overlooked issues, the question has to be asked: how much can celebrity role models and figureheads impact the devastating legal, criminal, and social issues facing trans people? Going further, how much of an obligation do openly trans celebrities have in efforts to advance trans rights?

More: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/26/trans-celebs-are-great-trans-leaders-are-better.html

Hear hear.

I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears. Every time I post something here suggesting that our community should take a bigger role educating the public and securing our rights I get mostly variations of "haters gonna hate, nothing you can do" and "we better keep our heads down."

In Italy, we had Vladimir Luxuria, as was the first openly transgender member of Parliament in Europe, and the world's second openly transgender MP after New Zealander Georgina Beyer. She was arrested when she went to Russia to protest for the anti-LGBT laws and many people saw her u_u but yeah in Italy you still need to go though the whole transition (GRS too), in order to change your documents and she is still considered male.