The diverse group of black shemale individuals faces many challenges but shows incredible strength and bravery. They add a lot to the LGBTQ+ community, bringing their own unique culture and history. Their journey involves both joy and difficulty as they try to be true to themselves in a world that sometimes does not understand them.
Their community is important to them as they find support and understanding there. They express themselves through things like fashion, music, and art, celebrating who they are together. They are also leaders fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, ensuring their voices are heard.
Sadly, they face unfair judgments and stereotypes that make life hard. People might think they are overly sexual or aggressive, which is not true and makes it challenging for them to be accepted. This shows that society still struggles to accept and appreciate differences among people.
1. Juliana Huxtable
Name Juliana Huxtable Date of Birth 29th December 1987 Height N/A Weight N/A Nationality American Occupation Artist, DJ, Writer, Performer
Juliana Huxtable is a talented American artist and DJ known for her inclusive parties and boundary-pushing art. She is a shemale woman who explores themes like race, gender, and identity in her work. Born in Texas and a graduate of Bard College, she has showcased her art at places like The New Museum and MoMa.
Her art dives into the complexities of gender and identity using methods like self-portraits, painting, and text overlay on artworks. Beyond her art, she co-founded Shock Value, a NYC-based nightlife project that celebrates diversity in a way that goes beyond just parties.
Juliana's mission is to create spaces where people from all walks of life can unite and influence music, art, and fashion. She saw a gap in nightlife spaces and wanted to make sure there was a place where everyone felt included, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. She is also part of a collective called House of Ladosha and DJs with Discwoman, a talent agency booking DJs globally.
2. Laverne Cox
Name Laverne Cox Date of Birth 29th May 1972 Height 1.80m Weight 76kg Nationality American Occupation Actress, LGBTG Advocate
Laverne Cox is a trailblazing American actress and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Renowned for her groundbreaking portrayal as Sophia Burset in Netflix's “Orange Is the New Black,” she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first openly shemale individual nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in acting.
Identified as female from a young age, Cox faced bullying due to her feminine expression. However, she rose to fame and became an icon for her impactful work in entertainment and activism. In 2015, she won a Daytime Emmy Award for her production work on “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” marking a significant milestone for trans women in the industry.
Cox shattered barriers by appearing on the covers of Time and Cosmopolitan magazines, marking a historic moment in mainstream representation for transgender individuals. Her influence extends beyond acting as she is also a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She broke new ground by portraying a shemale character in a regular role on US broadcast television in CBS's “Doubt.”
Throughout her career, Cox has continually pushed boundaries, creating visibility and opening doors for transgender representation in the entertainment industry while using her platform to advocate for equality and acceptance.
3. Isis King
Name Isis King Date of Birth 1st October 1985 Height 1.70m Weight 55kg Nationality American Occupation Model, Actress
Isis King is an accomplished American model, actress, and fashion designer renowned for breaking barriers as the first shemale person to compete on “America's Next Top Model.” Born in 1985 in Prince George's County, Maryland, she bravely shared her journey of transitioning, starting hormone replacement therapy in 2007 and undergoing gender confirmation surgery in 2009, supported by Tyra Banks.
King's appearance on “America's Next Top Model” in 2008 and her return for the All-Star edition in 2011 solidified her place as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. Her openness about her experience, from coming out as gay in high school to embracing her identity, has made her an inspiration for many in the LGBTQ+ community.
Beyond her TV appearances, King has acted in shows like “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Strut,” “When They See Us,” and “With Love.” Her advocacy for transgender rights and visibility in the media has made her a prominent figure in the fight for acceptance and equality.
Her journey from facing challenges to becoming a respected figure in the entertainment industry showcases her resilience and determination, inspiring others, especially shemale individuals, to pursue their dreams despite obstacles.
4. Ts Madison
Name Madison Hinton Date of Birth 22nd October 1977 Height 1.65m Weight 74kg Nationality American Occupation Activist, Entrepreneur,
Ts Madison Hinton, born in 1977, is a prominent American entertainer, entrepreneur, and LGBTQ+ activist. As an openly shemale person, she's established herself as a vocal advocate for the community, using her platform to push for rights and visibility.
Initially gaining attention through amateur videos, Madison later formed Raw Dawgg Entertainment, a company that distributes transgender content. Despite her past in the adult entertainment industry, she has evolved into an internet personality and influencer, discussing human rights issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community and breaking taboos.
Her journey to prominence saw her go viral with a Vine clip in 2013, leading to wider recognition. Madison's path was not without obstacles, including facing job dismissals due to being transgender, she turned to sex work for financial stability. Her determination to overcome economic struggles fueled her success.
Beyond her entertainment career, Madison expanded into music, signing with Pink Money Records and releasing singles and albums. She penned her autobiography, “A Light Through the Shade: An Autobiography of a Queen,” shedding light on her experiences. She became the first Black shemale woman to have her own reality TV show, “The Ts Madison Experience.” Throughout, she has openly discussed her shemale identity, advocating for rights and greater understanding.
5. Janet Mock
Name Janet Mock Date of Birth 10th March 1983 Height 1.67m Weight 60kg Nationality American Occupation TV Producer, Writer, Activist
Janet Mock is an American writer, television host, director, and producer known for her work in media and her activism for transgender rights. Born in 1983 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mock, the second of five children, experienced a strong sense of being a girl despite being assigned male at birth.
Supported by a network of shemale friends and teachers, she began her gender transition during high school, undergoing hormonal therapy during her sophomore year and eventually having gender-confirming surgery in Thailand at the age of 18. Her memoir, “Redefining Realness,” became a New York Times bestseller, sharing her experiences and insights into her journey as a transgender woman.
Mock has become a respected voice advocating for transgender rights and is a contributing editor for Marie Claire, previously working as a staff editor for People magazine's website. Her story reflects resilience, determination, and advocacy for greater understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals.
6. Zaya Wade
Name Zaya Wade Date of Birth 29th May 2007 Height 1.65m Weight 55kg Nationality American Occupation Model, Social Media Personality
Zaya Wade is the elder daughter of retired basketball star Dwyane Wade. At the age of 12, she bravely came out as a trans girl, publicly sharing her gender identity in February 2020, supported by her family, including her father and stepmother, Dwyane Wade, and Gabrielle Union. Even at the age of 8, Zaya had shared her identity as gay with her family, although they were initially hesitant to disclose it due to concerns about public scrutiny.
Despite the challenges of being in the public eye, Zaya has fearlessly embraced her true self, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and inspiring teenagers to live authentically. She has gained recognition as a prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community, leveraging her platform as a model and influencer. Zaya's confidence and openness about her trans identity have led her to become a fashion influencer, making her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in March 2023 at just 16 years old.
7. Dominique Jackson
Name Dominique Brebnor Jackson Date of Birth 20th March 1975 Height 1.85m Weight 67kg Nationality Tobagonian-American Occupation Actress, Author, Model
Dominique Jackson, born in Tobago in 1975, is an actress, producer, and advocate recognized for her impactful role on the show “Pose.” Her journey, chronicled in her book “The Transsexual from Tobago,” highlights her struggles growing up in a culture that did not accept her shemale identity. Despite her grandmother's social standing, she faced bullying and rejection for expressing her natural femininity.
At 15, she immigrated to the US with her mother, seeking acceptance and escaping a hostile environment. However, she encountered homelessness and resorted to survival through sex work and credit card debts. Eventually, she found solace in the ballroom scene, joining houses and settling in New York City.
Jackson has been candid about her mental health battles, which she shares in her autobiography, a 13-year endeavour reflecting her resilience. Alongside her acting career, she has engaged with nonprofits supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Her advocacy extends beyond entertainment, emphasizing the importance of understanding each transgender person's journey, especially regarding gender-affirming surgeries.
8. Mya Taylor
Name Mya Taylor Date of Birth 28th March 1991 Height N/A Weight N/A Nationality American Occupation Actress, Singer
Mya Taylor, born in Houston, Texas, in 1991, is an actress recognized for her groundbreaking role in Sean Baker's film “Tangerine,” earning her several prestigious awards, including a Gotham Independent Film Award and an Independent Spirit Award. However, despite her success, she has expressed frustration with being consistently labelled as a “trans actress” rather than just an actress.
Raised by her Christian grandparents, Mya came out as gay before transitioning, causing tension at home when she revealed her gender identity in 2009. This led to her leaving home and moving to California, where she faced further challenges, including being kicked out by a relative due to her gender identity.
Unable to secure legal employment, Mya turned to sex work in Hollywood until she began therapy and embraced her true self, coming out as shemale in January 2013. Despite her obstacles, her role in “Tangerine” marked a significant milestone in her career and the film industry, as she became the first shemale actress to receive prestigious awards like the Gotham Independent Film Award and the Independent Spirit Award.
9. Amiyah Scott
Name Amiyah Scott Date of Birth 11th January 1988 Height 1.73m Weight 65kg Nationality American Occupation Actress, Dancer, Model
Amiyah Scott is a trailblazing shemale actress and advocate known for breaking barriers in television. She gained recognition as the first shemale woman cast in “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” though she left after a short period. Her portrayal of Cotton on the TV series “Star” garnered acclaim, showcasing her talent and paving the way for more inclusive representation in entertainment.
Her journey began after Hurricane Katrina forced her family to evacuate to Atlanta, where she discovered the ballroom scene at 17. Amiyah faced bullying during her adolescence but bravely underwent a partial male-to-female transition at 15, completing the transition at 17. As a young adult, she ventured into entrepreneurship while actively participating and respected in the ball community.
Amiyah Scott is not just an actress but also an advocate who speaks to students nationwide about self-esteem, self-acceptance, and the challenges of bullying. In 2019, she shared her life story in the biographical book “Memoirs of a Mermaid.” With upcoming projects in television, including the series “When We Grow Up,”
10. Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
Name Michaela Antonio Jaé Rodriguez Date of Birth 7th January 1991 Height 1.73m Weight 54kg Nationality American Occupation Actress, Singer
MJ Rodriguez, born in 1991 in Newark, New Jersey, began acting at a young age, starting her career at 11. She initially came out as “bisexual/gay” at 14 and found solace in the ballroom scene. After graduating from Newark Arts High School and Berklee College of Music with scholarships, she adopted the stage name “MJ,” inspired by a Marvel Comics character.
Although she felt she was truly female from a young age, MJ initially came out as bisexual/gay in 2014 but was in denial about her true identity. After a hiatus from her rising career, she began transitioning after the close of an off-Broadway production of Rent in 2012. Four years later, having undergone hormone replacement therapy, MJ reemerged, embracing her identity as a female and using she/her pronouns.
Her career surged after this transition, landing minor roles in TV shows like Nurse Jackie, The Carrie Diaries, and Luke Cage. However, her breakthrough came with the lead female role in the acclaimed series Pose, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals. Pose received global recognition for its portrayal of Black queer individuals in 1980s New York City, with a significant shemale presence in the cast.
Conclusion
Through their resilience and authenticity, these individuals from diverse backgrounds have become influential figures advocating for shemale representation. Their stories reflect courage, triumph over adversity, and the pursuit of authenticity. From fearlessly embracing identity at a young age to breaking barriers in film and television, these individuals have transcended societal limitations. Their impact extends beyond their fields, inspiring societal change and emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity. Their narratives resonate as powerful reminders of the significance of inclusion, empowerment, and honouring individual truths in shaping a more compassionate world.
