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.