Media image of transgendered evolves

SeattleTimes.NWSource.com – By Regine Labossiere

A disgruntled playboy becomes a female fashion magazine editor. A rock star born biologically male finds her true self. A boy is scripted freely adding a pair of girl’s shoes to accessorize his outfit.

Transgender people have become the new go-to characters on television shows including “Ugly Betty,” “All My Children” and “The Riches.” They also have become the topic of more news reports in recent months.

A Florida city manager is fired seemingly for disclosing his plans to have a sex-change operation. A male sports reporter in Los Angeles decides it’s time everyone learns who she really is.

A sibling in the famous acting Arquette family has brought the struggles that a transgender person faces to the big screen in the documentary “Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother,” which made its debut this year at the Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary follows other indie favorites, such as “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Transamerica,” to bring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender stories to the forefront.