Transgender contestant makes 'Model' history

http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_10568905
9/27/2008

While the number of transgender representations on television remains small, activists say that in recent years they have seen a movement away from stereotypical roles such as transgender sex workers or villains. Now, the roles are not as marginalized -- and some are even portrayed by transgender actors.

Last year, Candis Cayne became the first transgender actress to have a recurring role on ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money." She plays Carmelita, the transgender mistress of Patrick Darling, a New York attorney general played by actor William Baldwin.

And from 2003 to 2006, transgender actress Alexandra Billings guest-starred on three TV shows, including ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." Billings played a married transgender woman about to have sex reassignment surgery. However, as doctors