Because Of Course They Are, 'Law & Order: SVU' Is Planning an Episode About Transgender Issues

(Image credit: Michael Paremelee/NBC)

published 29 April 15

Further underscoring its notorious responsiveness to real-life news, Law & Order: SVU will air an episode about a transgender teen fresh off the heels of Bruce Jenner's 20/20 interview (opens in new tab).

According to the Hollywood Reporter (opens in new tab), Warren Leight, showrunner of the ceaseless police procedural, confirmed the storyline for season 17, which begins in the fall. It's not the first time the show has featured a transgender teen—an episode in 2009 featured a trans 13-year-old and a ring of thieves that stole hormones from pharmaceutical companies. But this one will doubtless garner more attention, now that Jenner has helped put transgender issues on the map.

While it's just one episode with just one trans character (who will, most likely, play the victim), at least his or her story will reflect what we're talking about today (opens in new tab). Like Shonda Rhimes said (opens in new tab), TV should be made "like the world looks."

You should also check out:

Ellen DeGeneres Makes a Moving Appeal About Transgender Issues (opens in new tab)

Hilary Swank on Transgender Acceptance: "We Have a Long Way to Go" (opens in new tab)

President Obama Wants to Put a Stop to Conversion Therapy for Gay and Trans Youth (opens in new tab)

ModCloth Casts Its First Transgender Campaign Model (opens in new tab)

Chelsea Peng

Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.