Harmony Santana
Harmony Santana’s breakthrough came with her remarkable role in the 2011 film “Gun Hill Road,” propelling her into the limelight. Her exceptional performance garnered a lot of critical acclaim and earned her a prestigious Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a groundbreaking achievement as the first trans-woman to receive such recognition.
What adds depth to Santana’s journey is the fact that she resided in Green Chimneys, a group home for LGBTQ youth in Manhattan, during the film’s production. This experience fueled her passion to become an advocate for homeless youth and a staunch opponent of bullying. And she’s just getting started.
Peppermint
Known also as Miss Peppermint, this actress, singer, and TV personality got her start on the stage as a New York drag performer. Remember her from the ninth season of "RuPaul’s Drag Race?" It didn't take too long before Peppermint moved on to star as Pythio in the musical "Head Over Heels."
This role has made Peppermint a real history-maker. She became the first transgender woman to star in a Broadway role. Peppermint was already performing as a young child in the Opera Delaware Children’s Theatre and the Brandywine Community Theatre. She then naturally pursued a degree and studied musical theatre.
Calpernia Addams
Calpernia Addams is one of the loudest voices out there for transgender rights and issues. But would you believe that before that, she served with the Navy and US Marine Corps? She actually came out in her last year of service.
You may recognize the name Calpernia from Shakespeare’s "Julius Caesar." Clearly, Addams has a penchant for the theater because her own play was shortlisted for the Feminist Fest Award and several more.
Zackary Drucker
Zackary Drucker, a prominent multi-media artist, has made waves in the art world with her captivating works showcased across prestigious galleries, museums, and film festivals. Her artistic brilliance has graced renowned platforms such as the Whitney Biennial, MoMA PS1, Hammer Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego, among others.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Drucker has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry as well. Her expertise as a script consultant contributed significantly to the acclaimed series "Transparent." In 2015, she also played a pivotal role in the Caitlyn Jenner docu-series on E!, showcasing her versatile talents. Continuing her impact, seven years later, Drucker made a captivating appearance in the Canadian documentary "Framing Agnes," further solidifying her artistic legacy.
Angelica Ross
There's a lot more to Angelica Ross than meets the eye. Not only is she an actress and a transgender rights advocate, but she has also created her own tech company, TransTech Social Enterprise. This talented personality has been a real trailblazer in the world of tech.
For a start, she is completely self-taught in code and has been using her skills to empower other trans people in the tech community. Ross made her acting debut in the web series "Her Story" in 2016. Her excellent performance quickly opened up the doors to more opportunities, such as shows like "Pose" and "American Horror Story."