Transgender Fashion Models

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Transgender individuals have made a notable and visible impact around the world in the profession of modeling. Their participation and success in this field has greatly improved the profile, knowledge, understanding, and acceptability of their sexual orientation.

There is a long history of participation by transgender individuals within the fashion model industry. One of the earliest is Great Britain’s April Ashley. As well as her early success as a model in the 1960s, she was an active proponent of her country’s Gender Recognition Act. This led to her eventual appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Many of these individuals achieved their success through a dogged determination to lead their lives in the way they felt most comfortable and natural. The significant media exposure received through their participation in popular television shows such as ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ or ‘America’s Next Top Model’ has greatly improved the awareness of both the issues surrounding the transgender community and the understanding of them as individuals. In fact, the latter show was one of the first to readily accept transgender competitors.

A good number of these individuals have become active LGBTQ activists for their community and their rights. A particular area of attention in which they have focussed has been the right to change identities and names on domestic legal documents.

Of particular note recently has been the role Canada’s Jenna Talakova played in advancing the rights and profile of the transgender community. She successfully fought the management of the Miss Universe pageant to allow transgender participation in the competition around the world. Transgender fashion models hail from many countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Great Britain, Spain, Canada, and the United States. We have identified the following individuals:

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