Raven Symone’s “Raven’s Home” on Disney Channel has made history after introducing its first-ever transgender character on the network’s roster of family shows. In the latest episode, “The Fierce Awakens,” Raven interviews a handful of candidates she’s considering hiring to be her assistant as she dives back into a career in fashion.
She is soon met by a Trans woman named Nikki, played by actress Juliana Joel, who ends up getting the job. Juliana has since taken to social media to not only confirm that her character is Trans, but that she’ll also have a recurring part in the series. “1st out Trans character on Disney Channel? I can finally share that I’ve joined the season 5 cast of Raven’s Home on Disney Channel!” she wrote on Instagram.
THERE IS GONNA BE A TRANS CHARACTER ON RAVEN’S HOME, WE WONNN!!!
#RavensHome #DisneyChannel pic.twitter.com/wwuJiBW3fA
— grant
| ZOMBIES 3 THIS FRIDAY!
(@cqntralls) July 8, 2022
In a follow-up story she shared with Raven, Julia explained why landing the role meant so much to her, particularly because she never would have imagined seeing an openly Trans woman on Disney Channel. “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.”
She added, “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 & 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.”
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Interestingly enough, the episode which introduces viewers to Nikki was actually written by Nori Reed, who is an openly queer writer. She too, hopped on her social media to gush about the privilege it was to bring diversity and inclusion to the channel. “I think I may have created the first-ever trans character for the Disney Channel!” Nori penned.
“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.”
“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.”