Is it appropriate for a non-trans actor to be cast in a transgender role?

“Yes. Trans-gender actors don’t want to be limited, so why limit non-transgender actors? There may not be a large pool of transgender actors to choose from, when the movie is being made. But I do think the [non-trans] actor should seek out a transgender consultant for assistance in doing a realistic portrayal.”

“It wouldn’t necessarily be inappro-priate but my preference would be for a transgender actor to get the part. It’s more difficult for transgender folks to break into the business. There aren’t that many transgender roles to begin with. So when the opportunity arises, the transgender actor should get preferential treatment.”

“Yes. Acting is an art. If you’re a gifted actor and can captivate an audience with your performance, you shouldn’t be turned away because you’re not transgender. That’s reverse discrimination. Choose the actor who can play the role the best.”

“Yes, under certain circum-stances. There may be some non-transgender actors who are right for the role. But I thought Jared Leto in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ exploited the transgender community more than he represented it. He wasn’t educated about transgender issues; at least, that’s the way it seemed to me. But if there’s a talented and capable non-transgender actor, they should be given a chance.”