2015: The Year Of Transgender Visibility | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

2015: The Year Of Transgender Visibility

Taking a look at some of the most influential trans men and women in pop culture this year.

Brooke O'Donnell
Dec 28, 2015
Montclair State University
49
2015: The Year Of Transgender Visibility

This past week, Go90 analyzed some of VICE News’ top stories of 2015. Unsurprisingly, many of these stories were related to the incredible influx of trans visibility this past year. In honor of that, here are some of the most visible, influential, and groundbreaking transgender men and women in pop culture

Laverne Cox

This one is a given. Though Laverne Cox appeared on VH1 and hosted her own makeover show entitled "TRANSform ME", the popular Netflix Original series "Orange is the New Black" made Cox a household name. In the show, she plays transgender inmate Sophia Burset. For the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards, Cox received a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series; with this, she was the first openly transgender person to ever be nominated in the acting category.

Yas, girl.

Caitlyn Jenner

Though many in the LGBTQ+ community criticize Jenner for different aspects of her coming-out process, it is an undeniable fact that she is largely responsible for the increase in transgender visibility this year. Jenner’s incredibly public transition and subsequent interviews served to educate society en masse.

Aydian Dowling

Dowling made headlines earlier this year by leading the polls in Men’s Health magazine’s annual “Ultimate Guy” contest. Winning would have made Dowling the first openly transgender Men’s Health cover model. Though he lost the contest, the magazine stated they would include Dowling on a special edition cover.

P.S. He’s really hot.

Andreja Pejic

The Serbian-born model turned heads in 2014 when she underwent a fairly public transition. After making her way in the fashion world as Andrej, a notoriously androgynous male model, Andreja worked with U.S. doctors to undergo sex reassignment surgery in early 2014. She continues to stomp down the runway and make a great name for herself in the modeling industry, without even skipping a beat.

Sergeant Shane Ortega

Shane Ortega is the model soldier. He is beyond fit, works hard, and has served multiple tours. He also happens to be the Army’s first openly transgender soldier. Though Ortega has had to jump through hoops, as he was officially listed on Army paperwork as female, he hs made it work. Through this, he has become a sort of poster child for trans acceptance in the armed forces.

Jamie Clayton

After playing the role of transgender woman Kyla on HBO’s Hung in 2009, Jamie Clayton has mad her way back into the mainstream through her portrayal of Nomi in Netflix’s "Sense8". As Clayton states, she is thrilled to be a trans actress playing a trans character who is written by a trans woman. Before she took on "Sense8", Clayton joined Cox in the GLAAD Media Award-nominated "TRANSform Me".

Though these icons have helped increase visibility, acceptance is another hurdle. In 2015, more transgender people were killed than any other year. Additionally, it is rare for trans actors and actresses to play cis-gender characters. Hopefully, pop culture will continue to promote visibility and acceptance, and 2016 will lead to an even better year.

For a quick look at VICE News' coverage in 2015, check out the clip below!


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

To The Burnt-Out College Student, Keep Going

When you're struggling to keep afloat, keep going.

West Chester University
322
man wearing white top using MacBook
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

College is super hard. Between working, studying, and having a social life, it feels like a struggle to just keep afloat.

I understand. When you feel like your drowning and there's no way to stay afloat I understand that it feels like everyone else is doing just fine. I understand all the frustration, long nights in the library, and that feeling that you want to just throw in the towel. I understand that sometimes it's too hard to get out of bed because your brain is already filled with too much information to remember. I understand because I am also feeling pretty burnt out.

Keep Reading...Show less
burnout
Health and Wellness

No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead

Panicking and pulling all-nighters will not allow you to get an A.

The State University of New York at Stony Brook
331
No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Some of the best advice I've ever received was from my social studies teacher in sophomore year of high school. He stated, "If you don't know it at midnight, you're not going to know it for the 8 a.m. exam, so get some sleep."

It's such a simple piece of advice, but it holds so much accuracy and it's something that the majority of college students need to hear and listen to. "All-nighters" are a commonality on college campuses in order to cram in studying for an exam that is typically the next day.

Keep Reading...Show less
college
Featured

Warnings About College To Incoming Freshmen As Told By Gifs

College is hard, but you will make it through.

University of Delaware
428
college just ahead sign
Wordpress

1. You will have that special "college" look to you.

2. You will feel like an adult but also feeling like a child.

Community Donaldglover GIFfrom Community GIFs

3. You will have classes that are just the professor reading from their lecture slides for an hour.

Powerpoint Michael Scott GIFfrom Powerpoint GIFs

4. You will need to study but also want to hang out with your friends.

I Feel Like Its Been Forever Since We Just Hung Out Lauren Lindsey Donzis GIFfrom I Feel Like Its Been Forever Since We Just Hung Out GIFs

5. Coffee is your best friend.

6. You don't know what you're doing 99% of the time.

7. You will procrastinate and write a paper the night before it is due.

Ciúmes GIFfrom Keyboard Warrior GIFs

8. Money is a mythical object.

The Office Bankrupt GIFfrom The Office GIFs

9. It is nearly impossible to motivate yourself to go to classes during spring.

10. The food pyramid goes out the window.

11. You will have at least one stress induced breakdown a semester.

Community Abed GIFfrom Community GIFs

12. Most lecture classes will bore you to tears.

Big Bang Theroi Sheldon Cooper GIFfrom Big Bang Theroi GIFs

13. You will not like all of your professors.

Movies Quotes GIFfrom Movies GIFs

14. You will try to go to the gym... but you will get too lazy at some point.

15. When you see high school students taking tours:

16. You will try to convince yourself that you can handle everything.

17. Finals week will try to kill you.

18. You won't like everyone, but you will find your best friends sooner or later.

Best Scene From This Movie GIFfrom Comedy GIFs

19. You actually have to go to class.

Who Needs College GIFfrom Parks And Rec GIFs

20. Enjoy it, because you will be sad when it is all over.

Graduation GIFfrom Graduation GIFs
college gifs
Health and Wellness

Obsessive Thoughts Keep My Brain Stuck On A Loop And Me Stuck On My Couch

The more I research, the more I worry, the more I get stuck.

National Writers Society
579
Obsessive Thoughts Keep My Brain Stuck On A Loop And Me Stuck On My Couch
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Sometimes my brain just starts turning on an idea and it doesn't want to stop.

I don't know if it is related to my anxiety, perfectionism or depression. I don't know why it happens. It's frustrating, it's painful and it stops me from functioning.

Keep Reading...Show less
mental health
Swoon

To The Girls With "Daddy Issues," You Are Worthy Of The Love He Never Gave You

You are not alone.

6918
girl with a hat
Persnickety Prints on Unsplash

This is for the girls who have dealt with an emotionally, mentally, physically or verbally abusive father.

The ones who have grown up with a false lens of what love is and how relationships should be. The ones who have cried themselves to sleep wondering why he hurts you and your family so much. This is for all the girls who fall in love with broken boys that carry baggage bigger than their own, thinking it's their job to heal them because you watched your mother do the same.

Keep Reading...Show less
single life

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments