GLAAD Transgender Media Program

Recent stories

What's next for trans representation in AAA games? #TransDayOfVisibility

In the early days of video games, depictions of transgender characters were mainly limited to crude examples of gender ambiguity, surrounded by endless discourse and debate. Birdo in Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) and Poison in Final Fight (1989) are often cited as the first trans characters to be featured in games, but their portrayals left much to be desired. These characters were regularly misgendered in official material, described in derogatory terms, and depicted as simply being confused about their identity.

GLAAD Media Awards Special Recognition Spotlight: #Letters4TransKids

When trans journalist Ina Fried saw the increasingly unfair treatment of trans and non-binary youth, she wanted to find an impactful and joyful way to show up for them. As a result, #Letters4TransKids was launched: a campaign encouraging people on social media to post encouraging messages to trans and non-binary youth.

FACT SHEET: Reporter Guide to Covering Transgender People, Topics, and Legislation


A comprehensive list of 2023 anti-transgender bills nationwide as well as state by state is available at: https://www.equalityfederation.org/tracker/cumulative-anti-transgender

Checklist for Media Reporting on Transgender People and Issues

The GLAAD Wrap: Teasers for 'Scream VI' and 'Somebody Somewhere', new music from boygenius, a kid named rufus, and more!

Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.

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According to a recent Pew poll, nearly 90% of Americans say they personally know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. However, multiple polls show that approximately 20% of Americans say they personally know someone who is transgender. Given this reality, most Americans learn about transgender people through the media. So when the media talks about transgender issues - it is imperative that they get it right.

GLAAD's staff, which has included transgender people for over 20 years, is committed to working with the media to fairly and accurately tell the stories of transgender lives. GLAAD works with national news outlets, TV networks, film studios and Spanish-language media to include real stories about transgender people. GLAAD also works closely with transgender people and transgender advocacy groups to raise awareness about transgender issues. GLAAD provides free trainings to empower transgender people to share their stories in the media.

In 2018, GLAAD and 5050x2020, a strategic initiative within TIME’S UP advocating for increased inclusion of women, people of color, and LGBTQ people in media, released an open letter in Variety urging the entertainment industry to prioritize telling transgender stories, include trans creators in the creative process, and cast trans roles more authentically.  More than 45 production companies, talent agencies, and advocacy organizations, including Ryan Murphy Productions, SAG AFTRA, ACLU, Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Alliance, Shondaland, Norman Lear's Act III Productions, Apatow Productions, Bad Robot, Berlanti Productions, Casting Society of America, CAA, ICM, UTA, WME, Women In Film, Color Of Change and many more, signed the open letter.

The letter also encouraged content creators in Hollywood to read TRANSform Hollywood, a resource guide for the entertainment industry, created by GLAAD and 5050by2020, offering tips and best practices for collaborating with trans storytellers and fostering a more trans-inclusive production environment. 

GLAAD also worked with Netflix to create a campaign, #FirstTimeISawMe. Check out the videos with Jamie Clayton, Elliot Fletcher, Jazz Jennings, Laura Jane Grace, Meredith Talusan, Tiq Milan, and GLAAD's Nick Adams; then read other trans people's stories of when they really saw themselves reflected on-screen.

If you would like to contact us about how to create more authentic transgender characters in films and TV, or for resources on how to create accurate news stories, contact us at trans@glaad.org.

Want to learn more about what it means to be transgender? Check out our Transgender Frequently Asked Questions

Other Resources:  

Recent stories

What's next for trans representation in AAA games? #TransDayOfVisibility

In the early days of video games, depictions of transgender characters were mainly limited to crude examples of gender ambiguity, surrounded by endless discourse and debate. Birdo in Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) and Poison in Final Fight (1989) are often cited as the first trans characters to be featured in games, but their portrayals left much to be desired. These characters were regularly misgendered in official material, described in derogatory terms, and depicted as simply being confused about their identity.

GLAAD Media Awards Special Recognition Spotlight: #Letters4TransKids

When trans journalist Ina Fried saw the increasingly unfair treatment of trans and non-binary youth, she wanted to find an impactful and joyful way to show up for them. As a result, #Letters4TransKids was launched: a campaign encouraging people on social media to post encouraging messages to trans and non-binary youth.

FACT SHEET: Reporter Guide to Covering Transgender People, Topics, and Legislation


A comprehensive list of 2023 anti-transgender bills nationwide as well as state by state is available at: https://www.equalityfederation.org/tracker/cumulative-anti-transgender

Checklist for Media Reporting on Transgender People and Issues

The GLAAD Wrap: Teasers for 'Scream VI' and 'Somebody Somewhere', new music from boygenius, a kid named rufus, and more!

Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.

Pages