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Katelynn Cusanelli, from Real World Brooklyn, has made history in becoming the first transgendered cast member of the ground breaking reality show. Real World has long been a way for queer people, gays, lesbians and now transgenders, to be able to accurately represent themselves in the mainstream media.

To give a brief background, on the Real World, Brooklyn Diaries blog site Katelynn has a short biography: “Katelynn is a native of West Palm Beach, Fla., where she was raised by a religious Italian family. Her strong desire to be a mother stems from her close-knit relationship with her own mom, but this goal always seemed like a fantasy since Katelynn was born male. In high school, she realized that something was missing in her life, and she began the slow transgender process. At the age of 17, she started living as a woman. Just this past July, Katelynn traveled to Thailand to undergoing the last of her surgeries, making the transition from man to woman complete. The 24-year-old is a self-proclaimed computer geek and practicing black belt in martial arts. After a string of bad relationships, she is currently with her boyfriend, Mike, the guy she hopes to marry one day.”

Katelynn came out to the rest of the cast on the first episode of the season as a post-operation, male to female transgender. She was essentially forced out by prodding questions, but she came out willingly and was willing to answer any and all questions. She’s been a great source of visibility for transgender and queer people alike.

Katelynn hanging out with the other girls

Being articulate, well educated, attractive, and generally normal gives a perfect face and voice to a highly visible trans woman. She has the knowledge to educate the people around her on the changes she made to her body, on the outside, to reflect the person she is on the inside. In the video clip in the second part of the her blog entry series “On Being Transgender” (linked above via the photograph) she attempts to educate a reluctant and seemingly repulsed ex-military housemate, Ryan, who refers to her surgery as “chopping it off.” Ryan comes across as ignorant and extremely judgmental. As she’s explaining the various aspects of the procedure, her families reaction, and entertaining Ryan’s slew of inappropriate and invasive questions, he continues to interrupt her, talk over her and disregard most of what she’s saying. Watch for yourself, it’s astounding!

  “Legalize Gay” Shirt from American Apparel

American Apparel has made a fantastic shirt that, as one of the sales girls in the Newbury St. Boston store says, “is selling REALLY well. Everyone seems to love it.” The shirt is a standard American Apparel T-shirt with the words “Legalize Gay” written in a dated, vintage style font. Some of the T’s also have the words “Repeal Prop 8 Now!” These shirts were originally created by AmAp for the Repeal Prop 8 March in Downtown LA, California in November of 2008, directly following the passing of said Prop in the November election. They come in such gay colors as purple on pink, purple on army, white on teal, purple on red and a few other!

So, I bought the shirt in army and purple. I’m gay, it’s true. I’m also from California and voted in the November election AGAINST Prop 8, a lot of good that did! (I joke.) But, even though I was not part of the march in LA, I now have a piece of history and also a little visibility.

All the way back in the summer (of 2008) I made my own shirt in support of equal rights marriages in California. It was simple and I only bought one, which means only one was ever printed, but at the time marriage was legal for all including same-sex couples. I was rejoicing and planned to wear the shirt in a local Pride parade. Sadly I bought the shirt a bit too big and gave it to my sister, but I think that she wears it more than I ever would, so YAY! for visibility.

So, what’s the moral of the story? Be visible, have an aqueerance, and support companies who are helping in the cause! Maybe you can start by getting one of those fantastic “Legalize Gay” AmAp shirts.

To find more companies besides American Apparel who are queer friendly visit the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) “Buying Guide for Equality 2009″ and help support companies who support us!