GLAAD Calls on Hollywood To Have Better Trans Representation in Variety Cover Story
GLAAD and Time’s Up offshoot 5050by2020 have called on Hollywood to have better trans representation in an open letter published in Variety.
The open letter notes the extreme rates of bullying, suicide attempts, and hate-motivated violence that the trans community faces and calls on Hollywood executives to commit to telling authentic trans stories.
“We believe that we
are at an unprecedented cultural moment—a moment when we can ask Hollywood to
use its power to improve the lives of trans people by changing America’s
understanding about who trans people are,” the letter reads. “We want to help
you tell our rich and diverse stories, and we need your help to do it. This is
about more than diversity and inclusion. This is about empowering trans people
and sharing with us the tools and access that have been offered to you
throughout your career.”
The issue also includes a roundtable of trans actors, featuring Orange is the New Black’s Laverne Cox, Transparent’s Trace Lysette, and Queen Sugar’s Brian Michael.
The letter has 45 signatories backing the promise for better trans representation, from advocacy groups Time’s Up and the ACLU to production companies run by Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, and Jill Soloway.
GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement: “This historic display of intersectional support for more authentic and inclusive transgender media images sends a loud message of allyship to transgender people. At a time when the industry is at a tipping point for empowering diverse voices and audiences are demanding more inclusion, Hollywood needs to prioritize transgender talent and stories.”
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