by: Jen Richards 

Dear Media, Advertisers, Producers, Casting Directors, HR Managers, etc.,

It’s time you recognized the reality of transgender people.

Nay, it’s high time you recognized the incredible beauty, power, and talent of trans people.

While there is little firm data, a variety of reports indicate that anywhere from .3%-2% of the population has had strong transgender feelings, and .1% to .5% of the population has actively transitioned in some way. ¹  Looking at the United States alone, that allows a conservative estimate of 1.5 million people. Globally the numbers become staggering, particularly if you factor in how rapidly social acceptance and embrace of gender variance is developing.

That’s a lot of trans people.

A lot of people who would value being valued.

Think further about their families, their friends, their admirers.  That’s a lot more people who would appreciate seeing trans people depicted appropriately.

And when an oppressed group is shown respect by a company…yes, you already know: that company is proven to be a pioneer and they are fiercely embraced by the population they took a good risk on. We are the good bet right now.  As someone on the front lines daily, I can assure you that the combination of the intrigue of and acceptance by large segments of society and the backlash against the fear and hate by a violent but dwindling minority, will evince a dramatic shift.

So it’s time to step up. It’s time to use us in your ads, with respect, dignity, humor and creativity. It’s time to market to us, exactly the way you do every other race, class, gender, age, and region.  It’s time to include us in your focus groups, sponsor our activities, join the boards of our organizations.  It’s time you hired trans people at your company. And then listened to them.

There’s an easy way to begin.

Advertisers, I’m looking at you now.  Because let’s face it:

Not sure how to include trans people appropriately?  Here are a few good examples. ²

Maybe the models in this Campari ad aren’t actually trans, but gender play like this is sexy as hell.

Want to include some humor? I get it. The realization that a gorgeous woman used to be a man can be shocking, or at least intriguing, and that combined with some people’s discomfort makes for fertile comedic ground.  But here’s the thing: there are ways of doing it that isn’t laughing at the trans person, where we can all chuckle together.

Here’s a wonderful example (translation on the YouTube page):

Here’s a brilliant one from Ikea that recognizes a big opportunity for new customers:

Trans women may still have a clear “Eve’s Apple” and large hands. That’s a reality.  This Harisu Dodo commercial embraces that with a sense of play while keeping the beauty foregrounded:

Chrysalis Lingerie goes one step further by creating products specifically for trans people.  More than anything I appreciate the quality of their approach:

If you ask trans people though, one commercial stands above all others.  It’s a simple story, and one in which the main character looks like a lot of trans people we all know, rather than the stunning models used above, but this ad, for Banco Provincia, an Argentinian bank, recognizes the harsh reality so many of us face, but does what all art should do: allows for redemption. I cannot watch this without crying. Like, bawling.  If I could, I would bank there just because of this ad. As would many others.

Now, you might be asking where to find trans people for the brilliant ideas now percolating in your hungry brain. It’s a little hard to imagine given how visible trans people are becoming, but just in case, here are just a few of our most camera ready. ³

Isis King

She’s a freaking supermodel. And a sweetheart.  Need I say more?

Laverne Cox

Her intensity burns right through the picture.  And she’s a badass actress. Cast her.  Hell, it doesn’t even need to be a trans role.

More actresses?

Jamie Clayton

Alexandra Billings

Harmony Santana

Musicians?

Laura Jane Grace

Mina Caputo

Namoli Brennet

Ryder Morrison (on right)

Tona Brown

Sara Davis Buechner

How about some double threats? Actually, triple, because in addition to being incredible singers & performers, these two are ambitious entrepreneurs.

Angelica Ross

Kokumo Kinetic

Need a cool young TV personality to get the great interview and anchor features?  You should know Paris Lees.

Want someone with irresistible girl-next-door goofy charm? Check out Bailey Jay.  Yes, she’s done porn.  Guess what: NO ONE CARES ANYMORE.  (Remember how shocked we were about Vanessa Williams?  Exactly, no else does either.)

And how have none of you seized on Janet Mock yet?  She’s brilliant, charming, jaw-droppingly gorgeous with a smile that will blind you if looked at directly, disarmingly genuine, an incredibly capable speaker and talented writer…good lord, she’d be the ultimate spokesperson, for anything.

That’s just a few from off the top of my head, with a bias towards personal friends.  There are many, many more. ⁴  Including me.  Yes, I prefer to work behind the scenes, but even I’m not entirely camera shy.

Get on board, people. We’re so here.