Promos have teased Bruce Jenner’s upcoming 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer, with the inference that he is undergoing a gender transition. If true, the LGBTQ community will have a strong role model. Here are 10 other women who paved the way for Bruce.
UPDATE: Since this slideshow went live, Caitlyn Jenner was introduced to the world via her first major publication cover on Vanity Fair — on June 1.
Chris Tina Bruce
Before transitioning, Chris Bruce, father of two, was a competitive bodybuilder. Her two teenagers have adjusted well to the changes in their family. “They’d rather see Dad being honest and happier,” she told the HuffPost.
Yollada “Nok” Suanyot
Not only has she been open about her transition, she did so under the glaring political spotlight. She successfully ran a campaign to represent Thailand’s northern Nan Province in 2012.
Lea Cerezo
The face of Redken hair-care products, this male-born model is said to be the muse of the fashion house of Givenchy. Her father is well-known Brazilian soccer player, Toninho Cerezo.
Zoey Tur
Formerly Bob Tur, this renowned helicopter news pilot helped capture the footage of O.J. Simpson’s white Bronco chase back in 1993. He has earned three TV News Emmys and several other notable journalism accolades.
Florencia de la V
Now the mother of twins (via surrogate), this former magazine editor was born Roberto Carlos Trinidad.
Nikki Araguz
Her first husband, a firefighter, was killed in an accident and she became an advocate for marriage equality reform when she was denied the rights to his benefits. Today, she, along with her husband, owns the Starving Artist Gallery in Houston.
Deirdre McCloskey
This Harvard alum is a celebrated professor and scholar in the field of economics. She was married for 30 years and raised two children before she transitioned at the age of 53.
Terri O’Connell
Born J.T. Hayes, this racing champion and author penned the autobiography, Dangerous Curves. She also created the first clothing line for female racing fans.
Christine Jorgensen
Perhaps the first widely known American trans woman, this WWII vet traveled the world back in the early 1950s in search of a country that would help her transition. She chose her new name to honor the Danish surgeon who helped her.
Caroline “Tula” Cossey
This English model was born as Barry Kenneth Cossey and now has a Bond film, The Living Daylights, among her credits. She’s also authored an autobiography about her experiences titled I Am A Woman.
Janet Mock
Mock came out publicly as a trans woman in 2011. She is not only a transgender rights activist, but also an author and former People editor.
Chaz Bono
The only chlid of Sonny and Cher, Bono is a transgender man who came out in 1995.
Kim Coco Iwamoto
Iwamoto was the highest ranking openly transgender elected official in the U.S. during her two terms on the Hawaii Board of Education. This makes her the first openly transgender official to win statewide office.
Jenny Boylan
Jenny Boylan’s autobiography, She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders, was the first book written by an openly transgender American to become a bestseller.
Carmen Carrera
Carrera, known mainly for her appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race, contributes to trans activism by calling out those who participate in transphobic behavior, such as when she openly criticized RuPaul’s show for its use of transphobic language.
Lana Wachowski
Wachowski, codirector of The Matrix and Cloud Atlas, was the first major Hollywood director to come out as transgender. She sacrificed her much-loved privacy to become an advocate for the trans community.
Renée Richards
After winning her case against the U.S. Tennis Association to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open, Richards became a pioneer for transgender rights in professional sports.
Julia Serano
Award-winning author, slam poetry champion, critically acclaimed musician and molecular biologist are just a few terms that could be used to describe Julia Serano.
Carys Massarella
Dr. Carys Massarella is one of very few non-pathologizing trans health care providers. She travels around the country to educate health care providers on non-pathologizing means, which includes not questioning patients’ gender identity.
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