10 Moments of Trans Joy to Celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility

We love moments of trans joy in mainstream media!

The stories of transgender people in mainstream media shouldn’t always be about transitioning, transphobia, and tragedy. Even though these are recurring topics in the lives of trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming individuals, the media can also be an outlet for escapism, idealism, and the visibility of positive representation.

Just like any other group of individuals, trans people can be beautiful, intelligent, successful, funny, and talented, among other things. It’s only fair that their stories can reflect those traits in film, TV, music, and beyond. As we celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility in 2023, it’s time to look back at some of the best moments of trans joy in mainstream media.

Scroll through to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility with moments of absolute trans joy.

Kim Petras wins her first-ever Grammy Award.

Kim Petras won her first-ever Grammy Award in 2023 for her collaboration with Sam Smith on the no. 1 hit song “Unholy.” During her speech, Kim Petras thanked “all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight.” She also gave a special shoutout to SOPHIE, who had always believed in Petras’ success.

Laverne Cox appears on the cover of Time Magazine.

The June 9, 2014 issue of Time Magazine featured Laverne Cox on its cover. The story, titled “The Transgender Tipping Point,” talked about how the movement toward the inclusion and acceptance of trans people in mainstream culture. Seeing Cox on the cover of Time had historic significance and was an absolute joy for LGBTQ+ people.

Angelica Ross (as Candy) lip syncs on Pose.

Angelica Ross played the fierce character of Candy Ferocity on the FX series Pose. One of her most memorable scenes took place in season two, when Candy lip synced one last time on the show to Stephanie Mills’ “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” Try watching this lip sync without wanting to get up and dance!

Gottmik (Kade) gets top surgery with the help of Gigi Gorgeous.

Kade (best known as Gottmik from RuPaul’s Drag Race) got top surgery in 2020 with the help of model and influencer Gigi Gorgeous, who happens to be his best friend. This video can be a little graphic to some viewers given that it shows the actual process of Kade’s top surgery, but it is also all about joy and celebrating his gender journey moving forward, as well as his beautiful friendship with Gorgeous.

Trace Lysette gets an 11.5-minute standing ovation for Monica.

Trace Lysette received an 11-and-a-half-minute standing ovation after the premiere of her newest film, Monica, at the Venice Film Festival. Lysette plays the titular character in the critically-acclaimed movie, which is set for a theatrical release on May 12, 2023. We have our fingers crossed for this standing ovation to translate into several awards for Lysette and Monica!

Kylie Sonique Love wins RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6.

In 2021, Kylie Sonique Love won RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 and became the first-ever trans woman to win a season of the American series. This also solidified Love as one of the members in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, elevating her career to new heights.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez becomes first trans woman to win a Golden Globe award for acting.

The 2022 Golden Goble Awards did not air on television due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Michaela Jaé Rodriguez won the award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama for her work on Pose. With this award, Rodriguez became not only the first trans woman, but also the first transgender person ever to win an acting award at the Golden Globes.

Elliot Page appears on the cover of Time Magazine.

Much like Laverne Cox, seeing Elliot Page on the cover of Time Magazine was another incredible moment for trans people all over the world. While the visibility of transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people is slowly improving with trans women, trans men are even less visible. As such, it is a moment of pure joy to see Page stamping the cover of Time and saying, “I’m fully who I am.”

Kerri Colby’s Tranos look at the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14.

While Thanos collected Infinity Stones throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kerri Colby inspired queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14 to embrace their gender journeys and come out as trans on and off the show. After this became a Thanos-related meme on social media, Colby brought the full “Tranos” fantasy to life at the grand finale.

Laverne Cox and Angelica Ross give a hilarious interview to TMZ.

No one will ever be able to erase from their memories this incredibly funny TMZ interview with Laverne Cox and Angelica Ross. In it, Cox and Ross talk about the rise of Lil Nas X as an out gay rapper. Cox then suggests that other hip hop artists should start embracing their sexual orientations. When the TMZ reporter asks Cox if there are other gay rappers out there, Cox lets out a short and absolutely hilarious “Girl!” that says it all.