Trace Lysette

Transparent' was my coming-out party.

Growing up, I never saw images of trans people succeeding.

I think that a lot of times people don't understand the bravery that's involved with the Me Too movement.

I'm not getting into rooms for cis roles. I started my career auditioning for those roles, and then I went to play trans roles. And now, I feel boxed in.

I lived what we call 'stealth' for a number of years. Even when I started acting in the industry, I didn't disclose. I didn't come out. My first job on 'Law & Order' was not a trans role.

Transparent' does a good job of pushing the envelope in a real way, not in a sensational or salacious way.

It's important to be transparent, to remove secrecy from issues of equality.

I used to watch 'Star Trek' on weeknights as a kid while I did my homework for school.

Trans women are women, we're just a different type of women.

We have to be intentional with including trans women, all women, all marginalized people. Whether we say 'Me Too' or call ourselves feminists or strive to create a diverse workplace that reflects the world we live in, it's all about being intentional.

How will I become Meryl Streep if I can't even get in the door with Jennifer Lawrence for the same role? I think that it starts with casting directors and executives and studio heads opening up their minds, and really putting an effort into being trans inclusive in their projects, whether they're trans-specific or not.

That is the next step for out trans actors - to just be treated as actors and not 'trans actors.'