Detroit Writer Talks With the Founders of Hollywood’s First Transgender Talent Agency

There were more transgender characters on TV and in film, but still few trans actors and writers

Liana Aghajanian

On Sunday, November 20, activists around the nation mourned the two dozen transgender people murdered this year in the U.S. It’s the deadliest year for the transgender community on record, but 2016 also marks the year that the highest number of transgender characters were portrayed on TV and in film. Activists say that doesn’t translate to trans actors and writers getting more work. 

Detroit-based journalist Liana Aghajanian has written a new piece for Rolling Stone about the transgender community’s efforts to be hired to act, write, and direct in Hollywood. We talked about what activists are doing to change the situation. 

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Author

  • Amanda LeClaire is an award-winning host and producer of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. She’s a founding producer of WDET’s flagship news talk show Detroit Today, and a former host/reporter for Arizona Public Media. Amanda is also an artist, certified intuitive and energy healer, and professional tarot reader.