Love really does win. I say that every time I go back to Joey Mead’s Instagram and see just how happy she is with Ian—no, my bad, Angelina “Angie” King.
After years of conflict, Angie has finally come out as a transgender woman. Transgender, in the loose yet technical sense, is an umbrella term used for people who identifies with a gender identity and/or gender expression that differs from what’s associated with their sex at birth. A transgender woman is a male at birth who later decides to identify and live as a woman whether that’s through dressing and/or by medical intervention.
Standing tall for us in five-inch pumps and skinny jeans, Angelina remind us it’s okay to be yourself. Notable others have paved the way for her and everyone else who have yet to set themselves free.
Caitlyn Jenner
Formerly the patriarch of the Jenner-Kardashian clan, Caitlyn Jenner reintroduced herself to mainstream media through an iconic Vanity Fair cover. “I don’t feel like I’m waking up, lying,” she once told The Sydney Morning Herald. She has since raised awareness on the complexities of transitioning.
Isis King
Isis is a two-time contestant in the reality show America’s Next Top Model, becoming the first transgender woman to compete on it. Having found her ‘real’ self at the age of four, Isis has successfully transitioned to a 5’7” frame fit for modeling American Apparel and strutting in fashion weeks.
Alexis Arquette
Born to the famed Arquette acting family, musician-slash-activist-slash actress Alexis Arquette had found her niche in low-budget independent films. Her transition from male to female was captured in film—what did you expect?—in Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother.
Geena Rocero
You would remember Geena from her viral TED talk. A fellow Filipino, Geena Rocero is a supermodel who’s active on runways, print, and in her activist duties. In 2014, she launched Gender Proud, an advocacy and awareness campaign to advance transgender rights.
Ines Rau
“Selfmade woman,” Ines writes on her Instagram. It’s all you need to know about this rising model that’s just at ease with both modeling and flaunting her nude womanly body. She’s currently writing a book on her journey, which is set to come out this year.
Jenna Talackova
Jenna is the game-changer in the world of pageantry. The Canadian model won a legal battle, making her eligible to compete in Miss Universe Canada. The reality show Brave New Girls was based around her life.
Laverne Cox
Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox has been earned acclaim in her activist approach to spreading LGBT awareness. Among her accolades are a TIME cover, a wax figure in Madame Tussauds, and an Honorary Doctorate from the New School.
Tula Cossey
When we talk about well-known transgender women, we can’t forget Caroline “Tula” Cossey. The first trans-Bond Girl is also the first transwoman to pose for Playboy magazine.
