‘Raven’s Home’ Debuts Disney Channel’s First Trans Character
Raven-Symoné’s Disney Channel Sitcom, Raven’s Home, just made history by having the first live-action transgender character in the channel’s history. The show is a sequel series to the beloved Disney series That’s So Raven from the early 2000s. In the 15th episode of the show’s fifth season, trans actress Juliana Joel debuted as an influencer named Nikki.
Both Joel and staff writer Nori Reed, who wrote the episode, shared on Instagram about the groundbreaking character:
“I think I may have created the first ever trans character for the Disney Channel!,” Reed’s post says. “I grew up in Christian County, Kentucky, a rural community that wasn’t the most hospitable to me as an Asian and closeted queer kid. Like many kids across America, I loved coming home from school and turning on the Disney Channel, a wonderful escape from the challenging environment that I was living in. Growing up as a young queer person, I never got to see (my) own experiences and identity reflected back to me on the TV screen. This unfortunately provided a very clear message: This world isn’t for you.”
Reed went on to praise Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas for helping promote change in the industry, “Early on in the room, they looked at us staff writers and said if there are any queer characters you have in mind we are here for it and we support you.”
On Instagram, Joel made a post about the role, talking about her childhood dream to act on That’s So Raven and how she thought being an actor would never be possible for her based on her Puerto Rican heritage and trans identity.
Joel writes, “It was a moment where it hit me that I not only get to live out my childhood dream on a version of my favorite show… I get to do it as my authentic self and with a character that is openly trans. But it was really more than just being on the show. With all of the anti-trans hate and narratives in media and society, it was a win. I claimed a dream and space for myself while so much of the world is trying to erase me aand my community. And now I get to be that person I wish I had to watch on TV growing up. So never tell yourself it can’t happen because it can, in ways you never dreamt possible.”
It’s heartening to see such love and support for the LGBTQ community among the cast and crew of the show, especially amongst the shaky representation from Disney over the past few years. While change is slow, hopefully, Nikki’s character is a sign that things are changing for the better for LGBTQ representation.
Photo courtesy of @DisneyBeat101 on Twitter
