Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Gender nonconforming or trans people in prison or in jail its not talked about at all, Fletcher says.
You play three very different transmasculine characters.
What does this unique opportunity mean to you?It means a lot.
I feel very lucky and very privileged to have this spot.
Its really important to me.
But why is it just me?
There should be so many more transmasculine people in the public eye.
But Im glad I can be this.
I do very deeply connect with the characters that I play.
I cant imagine that Im the only actor who does that.
But I know that thats the way its handled.
The show is pretty accurate to the way its handled in real life.
They dont know where to put them, so they put them in solitary.
Or by themselves, which really isnt fair.
Aaron says in the show that it doesnt feel theyre being treated like humans.
Were being treated like animals.
It doesnt even matter what the crime is.Right.
Its really quite scary.
Gender nonconforming or trans people in prison or in jail its not talked about at all.
Im hoping that people will watch the show and be like, Oh, wow.
That doesnt seem right.
I didnt know thats what happens to trans folks.
I wondered if you personally relate to that.
If thats the way you perceive yourself and want to look at yourself, thats really cool.
I dont want to show this.
I dont want people to see.
Im one of those people that I really just dont care.
I dont see them as anything.
I dont see them as an emblem, like, Oh yeah, check me out.
Im super badass and proud.
I dont think of them as something that Im embarrassed about.
I honestly just think of it as a normal part of my body, just like anybody elses chest.
For Aaron, there are not a lot of people who know.
Thats a big thing for him, I think.
Im at the point where theres nothing groundbreaking about a trans story line, but Im trans myself.
I just dont think we are these cool things to look at.
But it is groundbreaking that shows are telling these stories, right?
You are telling three very different stories on three shows.
Itotally understand that its groundbreaking for a lot of people because they dont have any awareness of the community.
Its not groundbreaking for me and my queer bubble.
What youre saying is that you dont want to be the designated representative for the community.Right.
But thats just how that is.That doesnt really bother me.
I know its fake, but it doesnt necessarily feel good for me.
It doesnt feel nice.
The jail episode was pretty intense to film.
Would you like to play cis male characters?Oh, yeah!
I read a story about howGreys Anatomyproducer Krista Vernoff wants to work with you again.
I would love to play a villain.
I think thatd be really fun.
Id love to play a superhero.
Id love to play just a goofy dude.
Im really willing to play anything.
Im open for whatever.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
