Home » World News » Disney Channel introduces its first-ever trans character on 'Raven's Home', making history for LGBTQ representation: 'You belong in this world and are included'

Disney Channel introduces its first-ever trans character on 'Raven's Home', making history for LGBTQ representation: 'You belong in this world and are included'

29/07/2022

Disney is once again taking big steps in the movement toward increased diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry: The Disney Channel recently introduced its first-ever transgender character in Raven’s Home, the reboot of That’s So Raven.

Actress Juliana Joel plays Nikki, a recurring character who serves as the assistant to Raven, the show’s titular character. Joel is openly trans and an advocate for the LGBTQ community. She shared this Instagram post to express her gratitude toward the staff and cast of Raven’s Home.

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A post shared by JULIANA JOEL ?? (@thejulianajoel)

Joel grew up watching That’s So Raven and dreamed of becoming an actress since she was young. Now she is making history for LGBTQ representation on television — and she is proud that she will be a face for the trans community‘s younger members.

“[There] 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,” Joel wrote in her caption. “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 & my community.”

Raven’s Home staff writer Nori Reed — who created the Nikki character and penned her introductory episode — also shared a heartwarming Instagram statement on Joel’s debut.

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A post shared by Nori Reed (@norireed)

As a queer-identifying woman who grew up in rural America, Reed expressed how she never felt like there were characters or figures in children’s media that accurately reflected her identity or experiences. Creating the Nikki character on Raven’s Home was Reed’s way of adding a relatable representative for LGBTQ youth on TV, as well as paying tribute to the trans women in her life who “lift” her up and “keep [her] going.”

“I cannot fully articulate what it means to me personally that now a young queer person in rural America can pop on the Disney Channel and witness a funny, nuanced trans character that they can relate to,” Reed wrote. “And I pray in my heart that they hear the very clear message: You belong in this world and are included.”

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