TV’s first transgender child actor cast in US sitcom
US sitcom Modern Family has cast the first openly transgender child actor on television for an upcoming episode of the popular TV show.
Jackson Millarker, 8, will play a transgender character in scenes with young character Lily during Wednesday night’s episode.
Episode director Ryan Case posted a picture with Millarker on Instagram with the caption: “This is Jackson Millarker. He's 8 years old, from Atlanta, and just happens to be transgender.”
While transgender adult Laverne Cox won an Emmy for her role in Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, Millarker is the first transgender child actor to appear on television.
Transgender couple becomes world’s first to give birth.
— RT (@RT_com) September 25, 2016
DETAILS: https://t.co/0JdHzDuFfwpic.twitter.com/8UsPmoGVRm
Modern Family has been commended for featuring a gay couple as lead characters in the family sitcom, with some crediting the show for normalizing gay parents to viewers.
There has also been a generally favorable reaction on social media with many describing it as “awesome” and that such “transgender visibility is critical.”
Well done @ModernFam Breaking down barriers to get #Trans actors on screen. Looking forward to the episode #lgbthttps://t.co/3F73G5iJ6T
— Hands 4 Equality (@hands4equality) September 27, 2016
Transgender Visibility is Critical, TY @ModernFam! "Modern Family" Casts First Openly Transgender Child Actor https://t.co/BvoRvGPFRo#LGBTQ
— Meghan Stabler (@MeghanStabler) September 26, 2016
definitely a great idea from a show that has handled these issues deftly https://t.co/bw4Ac6GtvS
— brian feldman (@bafeldman) September 26, 2016
Not everyone has welcomed the casting though, with some branding it as being “child abuse made into entertainment” and that “Hollywood has gone too far.”
@JamesAllenGrady@huffpostqueer what is happening to this world. . .
— I be (@laanotetofollo1) September 27, 2016
Am I the only one who is uncomfortable labelling a child anything let alone transgender? https://t.co/RpTc2xgDgL
— Mark Gaynor (@MarkRabob6) September 27, 2016
HOLLYWOOD GONE WAY TOO FAR
— Deplorable Niko (@NikoTheFarmer) September 26, 2016
'Modern Family' to Feature TV's First Transgender Child Actor https://t.co/nphrONOi0I