Transgender Activists
There have been material advances in the rights accorded the transgender community around the world over the past few years. Many of these advances have occurred because of the tireless efforts of the high-profile individuals on this list. In some respects, being a high-profile transgender individual itself makes the person an activist. However, the individuals on this list have gone beyond being just a part of the public face of the community to establish activist organizations, programs or strategies to continue advancing its rights, educating the public on the issue, encouraging tolerance, and providing assistance to fellow members.
These efforts cover a broad range of issues the community faces. Many efforts occur in the health sphere to provide support during transition and post-transition. Others lobby government to implement legislation to enshrine equal rights, legally protect the transgender community from violence, or allow seamless changes to identity. Many are focused on providing assistance with their profession, such as sports, banking, or the fashion industry. Some have successfully run for political office and have begun their efforts for change from within. It is advantageous for individuals to cluster in these activist groups to provide focus on the issue and influence within society at large.
Of course, there is a long history of gender non-conforming individuals and activism around the issue. Many of these historical individuals are listed below.
It is encouraging to see the range of countries which have high profile transgender activists. In many countries, particularly in Asia, there have been greater advances in transgender rights than there have been in lesbian and gay rights. This shows that the goal of advancing transgender rights is not confined to developed western countries, but rather is very widespread. It explains why transgender issues are in the news on a daily basis.
To read more on these fascinating individuals, simply click on their names.
Argentina
- Marcela Romero, rights/government legislation
Australia
- Estelle Asmodelle, rights
- Sally Goldner, rights
Canada
- Enza Anderson, rights/politics
- Gigi Gorgeous, entertainment
- Jamie Lee Hamilton, politics
- T. Thomason, entertainment/rights
Chile
- Andres Ignacio Rivera Duarte, law/rights
Denmark
- Mianne Bagger, sports
- Niels Jansen, activist
Ecuador
- Diane Rodriguez, rights
El Salvador
- Karla Avelar, rights
France
- Coccinelle, entertainment
Germany
- Julia Ehrt, rights
- Richard Kohler, rights
Great Britain
- Jenny-Anne Christine Bishop, history
- Christine Burns, rights/government legislation
- Angela Clayton, science/government legislation
- Kate Craig-Wood, business
- Jacqui Gavin, rights
- Jackie Green, entertainment
- Tara Hewitt, business
- Natacha Kennedy, education
- Jennie Kermode, media
- Paris Lees, journalist
- CN Lester, entertainment
- James Morton, rights/business
- Rona Rees, rights
- Carol Steele, rights
- Jay Stewart, rights/culture
- Stephen Whittle, law/health
Iceland
- Eva Agusta Aradottir, rights
India
- Gauri Sawant, health
- Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, entertainment
Iran
- Maryam Khatoon Molkara, rights
Ireland
- Lydia Foy, rights
Israel
- Elisha Alexander, rights
Italy
- Marcella Di Folco, rights
Japan
- Tomoya Hosoda, politics
Kenya
- Audrey Mbugua, rights
Malaysia
- Nisha Ayub, rights
- Hazreen Shaik Daud, politics
Malta
- Joanne Cassar, rights
Mexico
Nepal
- Monica Shahi, rights
New Zealand
- Georgina Beyer, politics
- Jacqui Grant, health
Pakistan
- Kami Sid, rights
Poland
- Jej Perfekcyjnosc, rights
Portugal
- Julia Mendes Pereira, rights/politics
Puerto Rico
- Ivana Fred, rights
South Korea
- Harisu, entertainment
Spain
- Carla Antonelli, politics
Switzerland
- Alecs Recher, rights/law
Thailand
- Yollada Suanyot, rights
Trinidad and Tobago
- Jowelle de Souza, rights
Turkey
- Demet Demir, law
- Bulent Ersoy, entertainment
- Hande Kader, rights
- Kemal Ordek, rights
Uganda
- Pepe Julian Onziema, rights
United States
- Calpernia Addams, military/rights
- Rebecca Allison, health
- Ryka Aoki, education
- Gwen Araujo, rights
- Beck Bailey, business
- Kay Ulanday Barrett, entertainment
- Thomas Beatie, marriage and family
- Kristin Beck, military
- Jackson Bird, YouTube
- Freddie Bologno, rights
- Chaz Bono, entertainment
- Carmen Carrera, entertainment
- Sidney Chase, entertainment
- Emmett Claren, religion
- Lynn Conway, science
- Cheryl Courtney-Evans, rights
- Laverne Cox, entertainment
- Masen Davis, law
- Grace Dunham, rights
- Jade Esteban Estrada, entertainment
- Gwen Fry, religion
- Amelia Gapin, sports
- Roberta Gills, rights
- Laura Jane Grace, entertainment
- Jamison Green, health
- Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, rights
- Gavin Grimm, rights
- Jennicet Gutierrez, rights
- Elle Hearns, rights
- Kim Coco Iwamoto, rights
- Andrea James, media
- Jazz Jennings, media
- Marsha P. Johnson, rights
- Christina Kahrl, sports
- Matt Kailey, education
- Mara Keisling, rights
- Kokumo Kinetic, entertainment
- Christopher Lee, entertainment
- Jennifer Levi, rights lawyer
- Earl Lind, rights
- CeCe Mcdonald, rights/law
- Michaela Mendelsohn, entertainment
- Tiq Milan, entertainment/fashion
- Shannon Minter, law
- Janet Mock, journalist
- Chris Mosier, sports
- Shane Ortega, military
- Pauline Park, health
- Channyn Lynne Parker, health
- Tynan Power, religion
- Martin Rawlings-Fein, entertainment
- Jen Richards, media
- Renee Richards, sports
- Sylvia Rivera, rights
- Geena Rocero, rights
- Bamby Salcedo, health
- Sabel Samone-Loreca, health
- Scout, health
- Theresa Sparks, rights
- Lou Sullivan, rights/health
- Harper Jean Tobin, rights
- Riki Wilchins, rights
Uruguay
- Michelle Suarez Bertora, politics
Venezuela
- Tamara Adrian, politics/law
See Also
- Intersex Activists
- Global LGBTQ HIV/AIDS Activists
- Early European LGBTQ Activists
- Feminist Activists Who Identify as Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender
- Transgender Military Personnel
- Transgender Singers, Musicians and Composers
- Transgender Fashion Models
- Transgender Politicians
- Transgender Athletes
