‘Glee’ Orchestrates LGBT History With Transgender Choir And Transition Plot: Behind The Scenes [Video]

When Glee first aired, viewers were drawn to the show for the way that it celebrated those who were different, from gay teen Kurt (played by Chris Colfer) to bixsexual Santana (played by Naya Rivera). Now in its final season, Glee is expanding its daring with a transition plot that included a transgender choir, revealed the Hollywood Reporter.

The singers for the choir formed after a talent hunt facilitated by GLADD, with the plot enhanced to incorporate the music as part of the transgender plot focusing on Dot Marie Jones, who plays Coach Beiste.

That transition storyline began on the Jan. 16 episode, when the Coach announced that she had made the decision to become a man. It picked up again on the episode entitled “Transitioning,” which included the student known as Unique, below.

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The choir offered an opportunity for singers throughout the nation to unite. As the actress responsible for portraying the transition, Jones expressed her own views.

“We know [this storyline] will make a difference. Look at all the things that all the kids on our show have gone through, everything that Chris Colfer and Kurt have gone through. Of any show on broadcast, it should be a Fox show because they are the risk takers. I don’t think even taking a risk is the right word. It’s just real.”

As the Inquisitr reported, the show Empire also has addressed gay rights issues and acceptance. Lee Daniels, who wrote, directed and produced the Fox show, positions himself as a gay filmmaker seeking to reach people from all backgrounds.

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“I knew half of my family couldn’t afford HBO. The audience that is important for this show can’t afford HBO. I’m talking about people that are impoverished, or people that haven’t come out of their communities, or haven’t left their blocks or their cities, and haven’t seen the world. Oftentimes, a lot of these people are homophobic, I feel.”

As for Glee, Jones sums up the transition story from creator Ryan Murphy as one of the proudest moments of her life, she told Access Hollywood.

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“Over 200 trans men and women who were in it were just so proud to be represented,” said Jones about the trans choir formed especially for the episode.

And the actress admitted that she was moved to the point of tears.

“I cried the whole way home driving home from work that night. It was one of the proudest moments [of my life].”

As for the message that she hopes viewers get?

“We’re all the same,” she reflected. “[It] doesn’t matter what you do and who you identify with. Everybody has a heart.”

[Photo By Charley Gallay/Getty Images]