Modern Family Introduces Transgender Actor and Character

This new season of the hit ABC show, Modern Family brings new laughs, new drama, and even a new cast member. From Atlanta, Georgia, Jackson Millarker, age 8, joins the cast. Millarker is an openly transgender child actor. Not to mention, he is also the first openly transgender child actor on television in Hollywood. He was warmly welcomed by the rest of the Modern Family cast on his first day, which kept him constantly laughing. One of the directors, Ryan Case, posted on Instagram about Jackson and said, “This is Jackson Millarker, he is 8 years old, from Atlanta, and just happens to be transgender. He plays Lily’s friend, Tom in this week’s Modern Family episode and he’s wonderful. One of the many reasons I love being a part of this show.’’

Jackson also plays a transgender character named Tom on the show. Although he doesn’t have much screen time in his first episode, his character makes a powerful impact for the rest of the crew.

The episode starts out with Lily having a playdate with Tom and she calls him a “weirdo.” Mitch and Cam, her parents, immediately worry because those situations are close to their heart.  After turning to Jay, Mitch’s father, they both learn a very valuable lesson. They realize that Lily maybe need time to adjust, just as Jay did when Mitch came out. Mitch and Cam had accused Jay of being unaccepting, but really he only needed time to adjust to the change. Mitch and Cam realise that that’s how they would feel if Lily decided she wanted to be ‘’Lou’’ instead of Lily and they would lose the dream of seeing her in a wedding dress. But they knew in their hearts that they would accept her because they love her, and that’s a lesson they want to teach her about her new friend, Tom.