The early 2000s saw transgender characters appear almost exclusively in comedies as the butt of the joke. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) climaxes with a scene where the male protagonist discovers the villain is a trans woman, leading to disgust and mock vomiting. The Hangover (2009) features a scene in which the characters wake up next to a trans woman and react with horror. These moments trained audiences to see trans identity as inherently ridiculous or repulsive.
The UK’s It’s a Sin (2021) featured trans character Jill Baxter, though cis-acted. France’s Wild Side (2004) is a landmark trans art film. Germany’s Transparent (2014–2019), though created by a cis Jewish man (Joanna Solotoff, formerly known as Jill Soloway) and centered on a trans parent played by a cis actor, sparked many conversations. Tranny Xxx
The future is promising but requires vigilance. The early 2000s saw transgender characters appear almost
Thailand, with a strong history of acceptance for kathoey (a term for trans women or effeminate gay men), has produced popular series like Sleepless Society: Nyctophobia and the reality competition Drag Race Thailand. Japan’s anime Wandering Son (2011) delicately explores two trans children’s experiences. South Korea’s film Christmas in August (1998) was an early adopter, but mainstream Korean entertainment remains cautious. These moments trained audiences to see trans identity