Juliana Joel has made history as Disney Channel’s first openly trans actor, joining the cast of hit comedy Raven’s Home in the role of unpaid assistant Nikki. Originally only scheduled to appear in two episodes, Joel quickly became a regular fixture in the show’s sixth season.
Despite the increasingly hostile environment for the LGBTQ+ community in the US, Joel accepted the role, which allowed her to be an authentic, positive trans character. Her journey to accepting her identity as a trans woman was a difficult one, growing up in Florida where restrictive laws on LGBTQ+ rights were notorious. She was forced to attend a Christian conversion camp after accidentally coming out to her father.
Moving to LA, Joel seldom saw positive trans representation on TV. This is why her role in Raven’s Home has been so important to her, as it has allowed her to live a version of her life she could not have dreamt of. By playing an out trans character, Joel hopes that some kid now has that representation as they are growing up, so they don’t have to go without the way she did.
Joel’s role on the show is especially significant given Disney’s own controversies over Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill, and the increasing anti-trans legislation across the US. Her casting also faced backlash from conservative groups who viewed it as an attempt to “groom” kids. However, Joel clarifies that her role is not to teach kids how to inject hormones.
Joel’s casting follows in the footsteps of Josie Totah, who also made her name on a Disney Channel show Jessie before coming out as a trans woman. The inclusion of trans characters in shows such as Raven’s Home is vital to provide representation and positive role models for young viewers who identify as LGBTQ+.
In a world where trans rights are being stripped away, and the community faces constant hostility, it is heartening to see Disney embrace diversity and inclusivity in their programming. By casting Juliana Joel, Disney has taken a significant step towards representing a community that has historically been underrepresented and ignored.