30 Characters Showcasing Positive LGBT Representation on TV Right Now

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24. Sense8- Nomi Marks

Sense8 is a science fiction drama made for Netflix, and follows the stories of eight individuals from eight different cities that become “sensates,” humans that are emotionally and mentally linked together. With at least seven different languages spoken on the show, it’s a wonderful display of culture, social issues, and ethnicity. And of course, LGBT representation and sexuality is put in the spotlight.

Nomi Marks (Jamie Clayton) is a trans woman. Here’s the thing- she’s played by a trans woman. In a time where trans characters are playing by cis actors (looking at you, Transparent), it’s vital to have self-representation. As the shows main protagonist, Nomi is one of the only trans characters on television with so much screen time and positive attention.

Her relationship with Amanita, a cis queer woman who works in a bookstore, is nothing to be ignored. Their dynamic is positive, authentic, and necessary. Unlike other shows that depict a breakup once a character is trans, Sense8 is avoiding that.

Nomi doesn’t have it easy. Her mother is constantly calling her “Michael,” the name she was born with, and refuses to accept Nomi’s gender identity. This is something all people identifying as trans can relate to, creating conversation about it.