Life in the 21st century has certainly opened our minds to new ideas about gender and identity. A big reason for this shift is due to the fact that so many prominent personalities and celebrities have come forward, revealing their true, authentic selves, whatever shape or form that may take.
The many famous trans individuals you will see on this list have been instrumental in creating a safer space for people to express themselves. From performers and entertainers to media moguls and educators, here are the transgender icons who have helped pave the way for many to follow in their footsteps.
Candy Darling
Candy Darling was like a Golden Cinema starlet. Born James Lawrence Slattery on November 24, 1944. Raised in Long Island, New York, Candy got her start in cinema, starring in a string of films such as “Women Revolt,” “Silent Night,” “Bloody Night,” and “Flesh.” Of course, back then, revealing one’s transgender identity was almost unheard of, and the world was far less forgiving.
The actress went on to forge a successful showbiz career. In fact, Candy Darling was one of the most prominent pop artists and filmmakers of that time. Andy Warhol took a liking to her and, as she was one of his repertory performers, appeared in two of his films. Unfortunately, at the tender age of 29, Candy’s life ended.
April Ashley
April Ashley was a true pioneer who, during the ’60s, gave a real face to the trans community in Britain. Born George Jamieson, the trans star was a model and actress, mostly active in Paris. Ashley suffered for many years from frail health but joined the Merchant Navy at 16, presumably as an attempt to follow in her father’s footsteps.
After her stint in the military, she moved to Paris and entered the entertainment industry. There she performed as a model and actress and even once again saved up enough money to have gender reassignment surgery. Ashely’s story was outed against her will in an article in the British magazine “Sunday People.” Though initially damaging, she unknowingly contributed to a more accepting world.
Holly Woodlawn
Holly Woodlawn was born Haraldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez on October 26, 1946, and hailed from Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico. Her chosen name was a combination of Audrey Hepburn’s character “Holly” from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and an episode of “I Love Lucy.” Just by that alone, it’s clear that Woodlawn was enamored by the entertainment world.
At just the young age of 16, Holly journeyed to the Big Apple in the hopes of being an actress. Her memory “A Low Life in High Heels” gives the account of her survival on the street as a high school dropout. Woodlawn landed some film roles, including “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers,” “Women in Revolt,” and “Alibi. ” She also founded the Holly Woodlawn Memorial Fund for Transgender Youth.
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson rose to prominence in the battle for trans acceptance, as well as in her fight for awareness about HIV within her community. She made her mark as a staunch activist dedicated to challenging social norms. Marsha was also known as a popular drag performer in the underground ball scene and even one of the performers in Andy Warhol’s “Factory.”
Johnson’s name has resurfaced in recent years in a string of documentaries about her life and impact on the Stonewall Uprising, an event that later became the inspiration for the annual Pride Parade. A lot of the footage depicts her performances as well as interviews with her peers talking about her passions and beliefs. Marsha P. Johnson died in 1992, but her passing is still a mystery.
Octavia Saint Laurent
Known as Octavia Saint Laurent: Queen of the Underground, this model, actress, and activist was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 16, 1964. The performer is probably best known for appearing in “Paris is Burning,” a beautiful and telling documentary about the underground ball scene in New York.
The activist also had an even longer name as she legally changed it to Heavenly Angel Octavia Saint Laurent Manolo Blahnik before ultimately going with Octavia Saint Laurent Mizrahi. Yep! That is one long name, and of course, fit for a queen. On May 17, 2009, the trans icon passed away, but her memory lives on.
Sophia Lamar
Born Enrique Muñoz, this trans celebrity has been active in the New York City entertainment and LGBTQ cinema scene. It was, however, back home in Cuba, where Lamar made a name for herself in the Cuban underground scene in the ’80s. Since then, the actress and producer has some credits to her name, such as “Adam Green’s Aladdin, “The Zanctuary,” and “Candy Apple.”
But more than that, Sophia Lamar has been the face of many big brands such as Levi’s and Trash & Vaudeville and once even for the NYU School of Medicine Center for AIDS Research. The activist and entertainer’s celebrity status has undoubtedly helped create a platform for the trans community and the youth of today.
Jackie Curtis
Born John Curtis Holder Jr., Jackie Curtis was, above anything else, an artist. She was also another one of Andy Warhol’s star performers, happy to get on stage and perform freely. Curtis was active on the theater circuit, performing in the Bastianos Theater, Pyramid, as well as a few other theaters around Manhattan.
The actress was praised for depicting powerful female roles that would transcend all stereotypes. However, that wasn’t her only talent. In later years Jackie Curtis went on to establish herself as a distinguished writer and poet and published a number of her pieces. Curtis sadly died in 1985 after a long battle with substance abuse.
Mimi Marks
During the ’80s, Mimi Marks was considered one of the most beautiful transgender models in the world, which makes sense seeing as she was an extremely popular pageant queen, showcasing her beauty and grace around the country and was even flooded with offers from Hollywood. The model has been living as a woman since the young of 21.
The pageant queen even won Ms. Waterloo in 1986 and has since continued to join and win in Miss International Queen, Pattaya Thailand: The World’s Most Beautiful Transsexual Contest, and many more! Mimi Marks is a real game-changer and is believed to be the first transgender runway model in the world.
Ian Harvie
While many on this list have been fierce political activists, Ian Harvie has contributed in his own unique way, and that is with comedy. What better way to raise serious issues after all? Harvie is considered to be one of the most groundbreaking transgendered comedians and even opened for mega comic Margaret Cho in the late 2000s.
He has dealt with very sensitive subjects relating to gender and identity, all with incredible humor. Both emotional and funny, his show told the story of his operations and awkward encounters throughout his transition that took place between the ages of 19 to 32.
Dominique Jackson
As time passes and the world opens up, trans personalities find themselves more and more in the mainstream. Such is the case for Dominique Jackson. This actress, author, model, and reality television personality landed in the spotlight over her leading role in the FX television series “Pose.”
The series has garnered major critical acclaim (as does with anything that Ryan Murphy is involved in.) Aside from her starring role in the hit show, Jackson appeared in other shows like “Chick Fight” and “American Gods” and even bagged herself a GLAAD Award nomination for her part in the reality TV series “Strut.”
Eva Robin
Of course, the trans community goes far beyond the bounds of the United States, and you can find many trans celebrities around the world. Eva Robin, the Italian trans activist, is an example of this. Robin has claimed that she felt her true identity as young as 13 years old. Robin expressed how comfortable she is with her body and that she has no need for additional procedures.
As a vocal trans personality, Robin has fought her hardest to protect LGBTQ community rights. Aside from that, she also models and acts and is probably most known for her appearance in Dario Argentino’s film “Tenebrae.”
