10 Moments of Trans Joy to Celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility
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We love moments of trans joy in mainstream media!
CBS; Getty; Instagram
The stories of transgender people in mainstream media shouldn’t always be about transitioning, transphobia, and tragedy. Even though these are recurring topics in the lives of trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming individuals, the media can also be an outlet for escapism, idealism, and the visibility of positive representation.
Just like any other group of individuals, trans people can be beautiful, intelligent, successful, funny, and talented, among other things. It’s only fair that their stories can reflect those traits in film, TV, music, and beyond. As we celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility in 2023, it’s time to look back at some of the best moments of trans joy in mainstream media.
Scroll through to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility with moments of absolute trans joy.
Kim Petras wins her first-ever Grammy Award.
SAM SMITH & KIM PETRAS Win Best Pop Duo / Group Performance For 'Unholy' | 2023 GRAMMYs
Kim Petras won her first-ever Grammy Award in 2023 for her collaboration with Sam Smith on the no. 1 hit song “Unholy.” During her speech, Kim Petras thanked “all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight.” She also gave a special shoutout to SOPHIE, who had always believed in Petras’ success.
Laverne Cox appears on the cover of Time Magazine.
Laverne Cox on Instagram: "The June 9, 2014 issue of @time magazine featured me on it's cover. I am the first openly trans person to appear on the cover of Time magazine. Several other magazine covers followed. Being a cover girl was a dream come true for me.. But the Time Magazine cover which declared "The Transgender Tipping Point" carried a huge responsibility. I was on the cover but it wasn't about me. It was about a population of people who had systematically been stigmatized, objectified, sensationalized, exploited, pathologized, criminalized and far too often disappeared from history in various ways. Having a huge moment that changed my life not really be about me is deeply humbling and helps check the ego. I was immediately clear that I needed to use the moment to be of service. .... "God give me permission to do this imperfectly and allow me to be of service." This was my prayer then as it is now. I certainly continue to do this all imperfectly. I do hope my voice and my work is of service in some way to someone. One of the things I'm most proud of that I bask in is that I may have been the first but I'm not the last. It's beautiful to see other trans folks making their own history on magazine covers, with awards nominations and creating spaces for themselves and others that didn't exist before. So much work still needs to be done but it's nice to take a moment to celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small. ... #TransIsBeautiful #protecttranskids #throwback"
The June 9, 2014 issue of Time Magazine featured Laverne Cox on its cover. The story, titled “The Transgender Tipping Point,” talked about how the movement toward the inclusion and acceptance of trans people in mainstream culture. Seeing Cox on the cover of Time had historic significance and was an absolute joy for LGBTQ+ people.
Angelica Ross (as Candy) lip syncs on Pose.
Pose | Season 2 Ep. 4: Candy Lip-Sync Highlight | FX
Angelica Ross played the fierce character of Candy Ferocity on the FX series Pose. One of her most memorable scenes took place in season two, when Candy lip synced one last time on the show to Stephanie Mills’ “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” Try watching this lip sync without wanting to get up and dance!
Gottmik (Kade) gets top surgery with the help of Gigi Gorgeous.
Helping My Friend Transition (Female to Male) | Gigi
Kade (best known as Gottmik from RuPaul’s Drag Race) got top surgery in 2020 with the help of model and influencer Gigi Gorgeous, who happens to be his best friend. This video can be a little graphic to some viewers given that it shows the actual process of Kade’s top surgery, but it is also all about joy and celebrating his gender journey moving forward, as well as his beautiful friendship with Gorgeous.
Trace Lysette gets an 11.5-minute standing ovation for Monica.
\u201cI\u2019m still processing the other night. The many years of hard work to get to this point, the love I have for this director, the 11.5 min standing ovation\u2026 it was all a dream. Thank you @GettyImages for capturing one of the best days of my life. #Venezia79 #BiennaleCinema2022\u201d
— Trace Lysette (@Trace Lysette) 1662332409
“I’m still processing the other night. The many years of hard work to get to this point, the love I have for this director, the 11.5 min standing ovation… it was all a dream. Thank you @GettyImages for capturing one of the best days of my life. #Venezia79 #BiennaleCinema2022”
Trace Lysette received an 11-and-a-half-minute standing ovation after the premiere of her newest film, Monica, at the Venice Film Festival. Lysette plays the titular character in the critically-acclaimed movie, which is set for a theatrical release on May 12, 2023. We have our fingers crossed for this standing ovation to translate into several awards for Lysette and Monica!
Kylie Sonique Love wins RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6.
LIVE Finale Reaction w/ Eureka, Ginger, Kylie & Ra’Jah | RuPaul's Drag Race AS6
In 2021, Kylie Sonique Love won RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 and became the first-ever trans woman to win a season of the American series. This also solidified Love as one of the members in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, elevating her career to new heights.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez becomes first trans woman to win a Golden Globe award for acting.
Historical Golden Globe for Michaela Jaé Rodriguez!
The 2022 Golden Goble Awards did not air on television due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Michaela Jaé Rodriguez won the award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama for her work on Pose. With this award, Rodriguez became not only the first trans woman, but also the first transgender person ever to win an acting award at the Golden Globes.
Elliot Page appears on the cover of Time Magazine.
Much like Laverne Cox, seeing Elliot Page on the cover of Time Magazine was another incredible moment for trans people all over the world. While the visibility of transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people is slowly improving with trans women, trans men are even less visible. As such, it is a moment of pure joy to see Page stamping the cover of Time and saying, “I’m fully who I am.”
Kerri Colby’s Tranos look at the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14.
Kerri Elyse Colby on Instagram: "Bend and SNAP! 🫰✨ This moment is dedicated to all the TRANGELS out there, to all those who stand out and don’t fit in. We were created to reflect and to shine in our light and truth. Each of us are a gift so pass your presence on. I love YOU very very much! - KC✨🫶🏽✨ #dragrace #finale #pride #love"
While Thanos collected Infinity Stones throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kerri Colby inspired queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14 to embrace their gender journeys and come out as trans on and off the show. After this became a Thanos-related meme on social media, Colby brought the full “Tranos” fantasy to life at the grand finale.
Laverne Cox and Angelica Ross give a hilarious interview to TMZ.
\u201cthis video is still.... \ud83d\ude2d\u201d
— \u292c \ud835\ude82\ud835\ude70\ud835\ude86\ud835\ude72 \u292c (@\u292c \ud835\ude82\ud835\ude70\ud835\ude86\ud835\ude72 \u292c) 1580610820
“this video is still.... 😭”
No one will ever be able to erase from their memories this incredibly funny TMZ interview with Laverne Cox and Angelica Ross. In it, Cox and Ross talk about the rise of Lil Nas X as an out gay rapper. Cox then suggests that other hip hop artists should start embracing their sexual orientations. When the TMZ reporter asks Cox if there are other gay rappers out there, Cox lets out a short and absolutely hilarious “Girl!” that says it all.
