Transgender Characters Who Have Changed TV Forever

Adam Torres, born Gracie, was a recurring character on Degrassi: The Next Generation. Adam transferred to Degrassi High School because of transphobic bullying at his previous school. His story line follows his development of meaningful friendships with a group of kids at Degrassi who know of his transition and are accepting of his gender identification.

Sophia Burset, played by LGBTQ activist and transgender actress Laverne Cox, is a transgender woman who is sent to prison for credit card fraud in Orange Is the New Black. Cox's role as Sophia has been revolutionary in many ways, due to the light she has shed on the transgender community and the critical acclaim she has received for her performance, including an Emmy nomination.

Max Sweeney, formerly Moira, is a computer programmer who was introduced on the first episode of the third season of The L Word. As Moira, the character faced issues within her industry initially because of the sexism surrounding a woman in the tech world, but after his transition, Max was hired very quickly. The show explores many facets of the transition process of one individual, before, during, and after.

The Fosters is a groundbreaking show in many ways — namely for its portrayal of a biracial lesbian couple raising foster kids — but the teen series also cast a nonbinary-identified actor, Tom Phelan, to play a transgender male named Cole struggling with his transition, while forced by the system to live in an all-girls home despite his identification as male. The show touches on many issues regarding transgender children in the system that are often overlooked.

Alexis Meade was a recurring character on Ugly Betty whose role as an elusive villain developed into a more complicated character as the series progressed. Born a male, Alexis's true gender identification is revealed after she describes living her life feeling as though she was in the "wrong skin."

Shannon Beiste, portrayed by Dot-Marie Jones, is the football coach at McKinley High and is known for being tough on the outside but having a soft heart on the inside. It was recently announced that the final season of Glee would include a story line about Coach Beiste's struggle with gender dysmorphia and subsequent transition from female to male.

Tony Sawicki, born Antoinette, was added to the growing list of clones joining Orphan Black's Sarah Manning, all played by Tatiana Maslany. The clones are all extremely different in personality, despite their uncanny physical similarities. The sexual orientation and interests of the clones vary greatly, so including another member in the Clone Club with a different gender identification and sexual preference was a welcome and well-executed addition.

Zoe is introduced to All My Children as an internationally famous male musician who eventually transitions to a female after coming out to another character she had feelings for. The show portrays her transition process as she visits doctors, attends a support group, debates gender reassignment surgery, and opens up to family members.

Unique Adams, played by The Glee Project contestant Alex Newell, is a student at Glee's McKinley High, and she's got pipes that rival some of the best belters in the business. The members of the glee club were overwhelmingly accepting of her identification as female, though born a male.

Transgender actress Candis Cayne portrayed Carmelita on ABC's Dirty Sexy Money. The show featured her as a recurring transgender character, making it the first time one of the main cable networks featured a transgender character on a show with millions of viewers.

Transparent follows the personal journey of Maura Pfefferman, born Morton Pfefferman and played by Jeffrey Tambor, as she opens up to her family about identifying as a woman. The Golden Globe-winning series has received viewer and critical acclaim alike for its honest and sincere portrayal of human growth, family, and gender identity.