Candis Cayne
Candis Cayne is an incredibly important figure in the history of trans people’s popularity and prominence on mainstream entertainment and TV.
She made history when she became the first ever trans actress to play a recurring trans character on primetime TV, when she took the role of Carmelita Rainer on ABC’s super popular drama series Dirty Sexy Money.
“I feel honored that I was able to take on this role,” she said to Chicago Pride. “And that it went off so well to help the community and push it forward.”
Chaz Bono
Chaz Bono has lived in the spotlight his entire life, growing up with his super famous parents Sonny Bono and Cher in the showbiz world.
So it’s no surprise that when he later came out as a trans man, the showbiz world immediately gained a new celeb member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Bono documented his journey in the emotional documentary Becoming Chaz, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011.
Bono has used his status as a celeb trans man to speak up for his community, becoming a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign and working for GLAAD.