The success of Transparent (Amazon) reflects the way contemporary culture appears to be becoming increasingly tolerant towards all types of gender and sexual identification. Along with Orange is the New Black, House of Lies and other media representations, the transgender and transexual community are being represented in more positive and, perhaps more importantly, more human ways.
There is a lot of research by both academic and political groups that show that the representation of LGBT characters (whilst still being problematic in many media texts) is gradually improving as more variety and less simple stereotyping is coming through. It is worth noting though that diverse sexual and gender identities are more likely to be seen in non mainstream tv programmes/films.
Roscoe: Gender Fluidity in House of Lies
http://www.glaad.org/whereweareontv14
But before we get too complacent, Russell Brand identifies the extent that transphobia and bullying is still inherent within tabloid media.
s@albionmill