24+ Trans Celebrities Inspiring Change and Representation
We all admire today’s most famous transgender celebrities like Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner. These stars are changing the world by showing that being transgender is beautiful and that living your truth is powerful. They highlight the importance of body positivity, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender identity awareness.
But there are many more transgender celebrities making waves in Hollywood. These inspiring personalities are opening doors for more LGBTQ+ representation and helping to shape a more inclusive entertainment industry.
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox is one of the most well-known transgender actresses in Hollywood. She became famous for her role as Sophia Burset in the award-winning Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Her performance helped millions better understand the trans community.
Beyond acting, Laverne is a passionate activist for transgender rights, body positivity, and diversity in Hollywood. She speaks out for inclusion and is an icon for both transgender and cisgender women.
The Wachowski Sisters
Lana and Lilly Wachowski are the talented filmmakers behind the blockbuster movie series The Matrix. Both came out as transgender women and became strong voices in support of gender identity and LGBTQ+ visibility.
Lana Wachowski gave a powerful speech at the Human Rights Campaign, sharing how hard it was to grow up without seeing anyone like her. Her journey now inspires others to follow their dreams, no matter their gender.
Jazz Jennings
Jazz Jennings is one of the youngest transgender celebrities. She gained popularity as a YouTube personality and later starred in the TLC reality show I Am Jazz. The show follows her life as a transgender teen, helping young viewers understand trans issues.
Jazz is also a philanthropist. She founded two non-profits: TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation and Purple Rainbow Tails, both focused on LGBTQ+ support and awareness.
Balian Buschbaum
Balian Buschbaum first became famous as an Olympic pole vaulter for Germany. After a successful sports career, he came out as a transgender man in 2007.
Since then, Balian has remained in the spotlight through appearances on TV shows like Germany’s version of Dancing With the Stars. His charm and talent continue to inspire fans worldwide.
Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner is one of the most recognized transgender celebrities globally. She was first known for her Olympic gold medal win and later for her role in Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
In 2015, Caitlyn publicly came out and shared her new identity in a groundbreaking Vanity Fair cover story. Her story brought massive attention to transgender rights and sparked important conversations about gender identity in mainstream media.
These influential transgender celebrities are not only stars in Hollywood but also powerful advocates for change. Through their personal journeys, they inspire millions and promote a world that celebrates diversity and equality.
Caroline Cossey
Caroline Cossey is a famous British transgender model and actress. She helped break the mold when she appeared as a Bond girl in the 1981 movie For Your Eyes Only. When UK tabloids outed her without permission, she fought back. She later became the first trans woman to appear in Playboy magazine, showing strength and true celebrity empowerment.
Alex Blue Davis
Alex Blue Davis is a talented transgender actor known for playing Casey, a trans intern on Grey’s Anatomy. His role on the hit medical drama brought him fame worldwide. He’s also had roles in NCIS and Two Broke Girls. He’s proud of inclusive representation, saying it helps viewers “see themselves in the shows they love.”
Candis Cayne
Candis Cayne is a trailblazing trans actress in mainstream TV. She became the first trans actress to play a recurring trans character on primetime TV when she starred as Carmelita Rainer on ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money. Her role was a landmark moment, empowering the LGBTQ+ community.
Chaz Bono
Chaz Bono, son of Sonny Bono and Cher, is a well‑known trans celebrity and advocate. After he came out as a trans man, he released the powerful documentary Becoming Chaz, premiering at Sundance in 2011. He now works as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, using his platform for LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Janet Mock
Janet Mock is a highly respected transgender woman in entertainment and media. Before publicly coming out in Marie Claire in 2011, she was a staff editor at People magazine. She is now a bestselling author with Redefining Realness and a leading LGBTQ+ advocate, known for her work in transgender visibility.
Jenna Talackova
Jenna Talackova is a Canadian transgender beauty queen who made headlines in 2012 when she was initially disqualified from Miss Universe Canada. She fought back with a public legal battle and won, then re‑entered the competition and earned Miss Congeniality. She also served as co‑grand marshal for the Vancouver Pride Parade—an inspirational story of equality and acceptance.
Isis King
Isis King is a powerful transgender model and pioneer. She appeared on America’s Next Top Model, making history as the first trans woman to compete on the show. Her appearance brought positive trans representation to reality TV and helped many viewers feel seen and celebrated.
Carmen Carrera
Carmen Carrera is a well-known transgender model, actress, and TV personality. She first gained attention from reality shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Real Housewives of New York City. She later made a bold and powerful announcement—she is not a drag performer, but a transgender woman. Her story gave strength to many trans women around the world to live openly and proudly. Carrera continues to be a strong voice for transgender awareness and representation.
Ian Harvie
Ian Harvie is a popular transgender comedian who came out as a trans man at the age of 32. Known for his stand-up comedy, Harvie has performed with top names like Margaret Cho and became a regular in her off-Broadway show. His work combines humor with powerful messages about transgender visibility and LGBTQ+ inclusion in entertainment.
Tracey Norman
Tracey Norman is a trailblazing transgender model who faced discrimination early in her career. In the 1970s, she modeled for Clairol but was dropped after being outed as trans. Despite this, she became a respected figure in both modeling and LGBTQ+ activism, paving the way for many other trans models today. Her story is one of courage, strength, and gender identity rights.
Aydian Dowling
Aydian Dowling is a pioneering trans male fitness model and entrepreneur. He broke barriers when he competed in Men’s Health magazine’s “Ultimate Guy” contest, challenging outdated ideas about masculinity. Dowling now runs a men’s clothing brand that helps support the transgender community, showing how fashion and business can promote gender equality and empowerment.
Renee Richards
Renee Richards made legal history as a transgender athlete. After coming out in the 1970s, she fought for her right to compete in women’s tennis. She took her case all the way to the Supreme Court—and won. In 1977, she played in the U.S. Open as a woman. Her victory remains a major moment in the fight for transgender rights in sports.
Jamie Clayton
Jamie Clayton is a successful trans actress best known for her role in Sense8, where she plays a trans character. She gained recognition working with the Wachowski sisters, both trans women themselves. Clayton’s success is a great example of how inclusive casting and LGBTQ+ representation in film and TV can create space for real stories and change in Hollywood.
Fallon Fox
Fallon Fox is a trailblazing transgender MMA fighter. She made headlines as one of the first trans women to compete in professional mixed martial arts. Despite criticism and challenges from opponents, Fox stood strong. She wrote, “I deserve equal treatment and respect,” in her op-ed for Bloody Elbow. Her story continues to push the conversation forward in transgender rights in sports.
Alexandra Billings
Alexandra Billings is a talented trans actress known for her powerful roles in top TV shows like Transparent, ER, and Grey’s Anatomy. She first gained fame in 2005 in Romy and Michele: In the Beginning. For her contributions to trans visibility in entertainment, she won the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award in 2016.
Elliot Fletcher
Elliot Fletcher is a rising star and proud transgender actor and musician. Known for roles in TV shows like Shameless and The Fosters, he is also an outspoken trans advocate. In interviews, Fletcher emphasizes spreading love and raising awareness, making him a beloved figure in LGBTQ+ advocacy and media representation.
Hari Nef
Hari Nef made history as the first transgender model to appear on the cover of Elle UK and to sign with global agency IMG Models. She is also a talented actress and writer. In an interview with Vogue, she said, “We need to listen to people, not labels.” Nef is a leading voice for gender identity freedom and diversity in fashion.
Andreja Pejic
Andreja Pejić is an internationally known trans fashion model who first gained fame modeling both men’s and women’s clothing. After coming out as a trans woman in 2014, she made history again by becoming the first trans model to be featured in Vogue. Pejić represents gender inclusivity and beauty industry evolution.
Candy Darling
Candy Darling was a glamorous star in the 1970s and a key figure among the Warhol Superstars. She starred in Andy Warhol’s films and inspired bands like The Velvet Underground. Though she passed away in 1974, her story lives on through the acclaimed documentary Beautiful Darling. Darling remains a powerful icon in transgender history and pop culture.
Christine Jorgensen
Christine Jorgensen made history in 1952 by becoming the first American transgender person to complete gender confirmation surgery. Her story became national news when New York Daily News featured her on its front page. Using her new fame, she became a well-known LGBTQ+ activist, speaker, and entertainer. Jorgensen’s journey helped raise early awareness about transgender rights and gender identity.
Valentina Sampaio
Valentina Sampaio is a transgender Brazilian model and actress who has made groundbreaking achievements in fashion. In 2017, she became the first trans woman on the cover of Vogue Paris. In 2019, she modeled for Victoria’s Secret, and in 2020, she appeared in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue. Sampaio is a symbol of inclusive fashion and beauty industry diversity.
Hunter Schafer
Hunter Schafer is a global transgender actress and fashion model, best known for her role in Euphoria. She has worked with major fashion brands like Dior, Calvin Klein, and Marc Jacobs. Schafer openly speaks about her identity, saying, “I’m proud to be a trans person.” She continues to shine as a voice for trans pride and youth empowerment.
Nikkie de Jager
Nikkie de Jager, known as NikkieTutorials on YouTube, is one of the top beauty influencers in the world. She came out as transgender in her viral 2020 video “I’m Coming Out.” With over 13.5 million subscribers, she uses her platform to promote trans visibility in beauty. She’s also launched her own makeup line and hosted Eurovision 2020 online, representing trans empowerment in digital media.
Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith, known from Survivor, was outed as transgender during the show—not by choice. Despite this challenge, Smith responded with strength, later writing a heartfelt piece for The Hollywood Reporter. His story highlights the need for privacy and respect for gender identity. Smith is now seen as a role model for resilience and LGBTQ+ inclusion on reality TV.
Trace Lysette
Trace Lysette made her TV debut in Law & Order: SVU and later came out publicly as a trans woman. She gained wide attention for her role in Transparent as Shea, a yoga teacher. Lysette has become a respected figure in Hollywood diversity and transgender acting, pushing for more authentic roles for trans people in entertainment.
Lea T.
Lea T. is a famous trans fashion model and activist. She made history in 2014 when she became the first openly trans woman to be the face of Redken cosmetics. Lea T. is celebrated for her message of self-love and individuality in beauty marketing, saying, “They believe in all kinds of beauty.” Her work inspires a more inclusive world of cosmetic brands and fashion campaigns.
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