By Lisa Respers France, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 4:51 PM EDT, Thu June 22, 2017
YouTube star Jazz Jennings is part of the ranks of prominent transgender individuals doing their part to increase the community's visibility in the media. The teen activist appeared in Clean & Clear's digital campaign an stars in a TLC reality show about her life.
Former child star J.J. Totah came out as a transgender girl in am essay published by Time magazine. "My pronouns are she, her and hers. I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. And my name is Josie Totah," Totah wrote.
It was announced in July that transgender actress Nicole Maines had been cast as a transgender super hero, Nia Nal, who is described as "a soulful young transgender woman with a fierce drive to protect others" on The CW's "Supergirl."
Ines Rau has become the first openly transgender woman to appear as a Playboy Playmate with her spread in the November/December 2017 issue.
Gavin Rossum of the band LCD Soundsystem told Grindr in a July 2017 interview that she's been trying to come out fully as a trans woman for years.
In June, the artist formerly known as Charice Pempengco reintroduced himself to the world as Jake Zyrus. The singer debuted a new look in 2015 after telling Oprah Winfrey in an interview the year before that "Basically, my soul is like male."
Zeke Smith was outed as a transgender man on a controversial episode of "Survivor: Game Changers." The 29-year-old asset manager who lives in Brooklyn told People he struggled to forgive fellow contestant Jeff Varner who revealed the information during a Tribal Council.
Caitlyn Jenner, previously known as Bruce, revealed her new name and gender in Vanity Fair in June 2015. Jenner's announcement was called a watershed moment for transgender visibility. She appeared in the reality show "I Am Cait."
Laverne Cox, who was cast as Frank-N-Furter in the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" remake, is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy. She appeared on the VH1 reality show "I Want to Work for Diddy" and later produced her own series, "TRANSform Me." She now portrays Sophia, a trans woman in prison, on the Netflix show "Orange Is the New Black." She received the Emmy nomination for that role.
Former male model Andrej Pejic revealed to People magazine in July 2014 that she has undergone sex reassignment surgery and is now Andreja.
Former "Drag Race" contestant Carmen Carrera wants to be the first transgender model to walk the runway for the Victoria's Secret fashion show.
Amanda Lepore is an iconic mainstay on the fashion and New York nightlife scenes. She has been a muse for fashion photographer David LaChapelle.
Lana Wachowski was "Laurence" when she and her brother Andy directed films like "The Matrix."
Producer/director Lilly Wachowski used to be Andy and transitioned after her sister Lana Wachowski.
Chaz Bono transitioned from Chastity Bono, which is how many fans knew him when he appeared on his parents variety series, "The Sonny & Cher Show."
Isis King was a contestant on the 11th and 17th cycles of "America's Next Top Model."
Lea T is a Brazilian/Italian who has served as a muse for the designer Givenchy. She revealed she was transgender in 2010.
Transgender celebrities
Story highlights
Zyrun came out in 2013
He deleted his prior Instagram photos
CNN —
Four years after coming out, Charice Pempengco has a new name: Jake Zyrus.
The singer and former “Glee” star changed his name on social media accounts over the weekend and deleted his prior photos on Instagram.
Zyrus, who grew up poor in the Philippines and came out as a lesbian in 2013, shot to fame after Oprah Winfrey and music mogul David Foster took notice.
Winfrey invited the then tiny teen with the huge voice onto her show and linked the singer up with idol Celine Dion.
A performance in which Dion invited Pempengco to Madison Square Garden to duet “My Heart Will Go On” went viral. The newfound fame led to a recording career and a guest starring role on “Glee.”
In 2014, the performer talked to Oprah Winfrey about ditching the girly-girl look and long hair fans had come to know.
Related: Singer Charice has a new look, and here’s why
“Basically, my soul is like male,” the singer told Winfrey. “But I’m not going to go through that stage where I change everything.”
Zyrus received support online from some fans who embraced the change.
The first Zyrus posted to his new Instagram account was a picture that read, “Thank you.”
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the love and respect,” the caption read. “I love you back and I’m sending peace to everyone.”
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
