--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Historically, we have seen cis men play…" description: "\"Historically, we have seen cis men play trans women and vice versa. That casting breaks through the fourth wall, and it gives people the message that t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/746/nicole-maines-12524_actors_historically-we-have-seen-cis-men-play-t_509530.jpg" --- # Historically, we have seen cis men play trans women and… ![“Historically, we have seen cis men play trans women and vice versa. That casting breaks through the fourth wall, and it gives people the message that trans people are being played by cis men in real life, which is where we get this idea of men in dresses.” quote by Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/746/nicole-maines-12524_actors_historically-we-have-seen-cis-men-play-t_509530.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/746/nicole-maines-12524_actors_historically-we-have-seen-cis-men-play-t_509530.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/746/nicole-maines-12524_actors_historically-we-have-seen-cis-men-play-t_509530.jpg) > “Historically, we have seen cis men play trans women and vice versa. That casting breaks through the fourth wall, and it gives people the message that trans people are being played by cis men in real life, which is where we get this idea of men in dresses.” [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Casting cis actors as trans characters highlights how media can misrepresent trans identities, prompting audiences to question authenticity. **In simple terms:** Casting choices reveal representation issues. Key Takeaway Demand authentic trans casting. Themes representation media identity authenticity Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical social commentary When to use this quote - theatre productions - film casting - advertising campaigns - educational workshops Key Concepts gender performance visibility stereotypes Questions to Reflect On - How does casting influence public perception of trans people? - What steps can ensure authentic representation? A Different Perspective May reinforce harmful stereotypes if not contextualized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [There's an expectation of producers and writers and directors perhaps, that trans people only want to play trans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-root/there-s-an-expectation-of-producers-and-writers-and-directors-perhaps/) [Rebecca Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-root/) > [When we have trans actors play trans characters, people can look onscreen and say, 'OK, this is what trans is.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/when-we-have-trans-actors-play-trans-characters-people-can-look/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [Trans women, and women in general, have so many constraints placed on our bodies. As women, we are told not to show our bodies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trace-lysette/trans-women-and-women-in-general-have-so-many-constraints-placed-on/) [Trace Lysette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trace-lysette/) > [I'm not getting into rooms for cis roles. I started my career auditioning for those roles, and then I went to play trans roles.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trace-lysette/i-m-not-getting-into-rooms-for-cis-roles-i-started-my-career/) [Trace Lysette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trace-lysette/) > [A lot of us just want to lead normal, regular lives. I want to go in for a role and if I can play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-jackson/a-lot-of-us-just-want-to-lead-normal-regular-lives-i-want-to-go-in/) [Dominique Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-jackson/) > [Having trans people play trans roles show that we are valid in our identities, and we exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/having-trans-people-play-trans-roles-show-that-we-are-valid-in-our/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [I think kids need to watch 'Supergirl' for Nia, because there are more and more trans people coming out younger and younger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/i-think-kids-need-to-watch-supergirl-for-nia-because-there-are-more/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [I think, for all trans people, it's not our only defining feature, but it is a defining feature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/i-think-for-all-trans-people-it-s-not-our-only-defining-feature-but/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [More than anything, I want fans to take away an understanding of trans people that we can be anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/more-than-anything-i-want-fans-to-take-away-an-understanding-of-trans/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [I want to do my best and feel my best and hopefully see more trans women like me, or similar to me in terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-consani/i-want-to-do-my-best-and-feel-my-best-and-hopefully-see-more-trans/) [Alex Consani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-consani/) > [I just want people to know that. I'm not trying to make space for other trans women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-just-want-people-to-know-that-i-m-not-trying-to-make-space-for/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [One of my closest friends is a trans man who is incredible. And a lot of my clients are trans women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/one-of-my-closest-friends-is-a-trans-man-who-is-incredible-and-a-lot/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [In trans women's eyes, I see a wisdom that can only come from having to fight for your right to be recognized as female,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-serano/in-trans-women-s-eyes-i-see-a-wisdom-that-can-only-come-from-having/) [Julia Serano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-serano/) > [Trans women are women, we're just a different type of women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trace-lysette/trans-women-are-women-we-re-just-a-different-type-of-women/) [Trace Lysette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trace-lysette/) > [I grew up at a time in Hawaii where there were trans women around, so there were visible role models for me. At the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-mock/i-grew-up-at-a-time-in-hawaii-where-there-were-trans-women-around-so/) [Janet Mock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-mock/) ## More by Nicole Maines > [There are infinite combinations that people can experience, because no two people are alike, and no two people's identities should be expected to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/there-are-infinite-combinations-that-people-can-experience-because-no/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [For a number of years at my public elementary school in rural Maine, I was treated like all the other girls in school. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/for-a-number-of-years-at-my-public-elementary-school-in-rural-maine-i/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [When I was first trying to explain to my parents that I was really a girl, my father didn't know what to do. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/when-i-was-first-trying-to-explain-to-my-parents-that-i-was-really-a/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [I did a guest episode of 'Royal Pains,' and then right after that, 'Supergirl' happened, and I was like, 'How did I get here?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/i-did-a-guest-episode-of-royal-pains-and-then-right-after-that/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [At some point, I want to create a family and help them on their journey like my family helped me on mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/at-some-point-i-want-to-create-a-family-and-help-them-on-their/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [It's OK not to understand the whole trans thing. That's alright. My dad didn't understand it. I still don't know everything. What's important is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/it-s-ok-not-to-understand-the-whole-trans-thing-that-s-alright-my-dad/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [Family has been really important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/family-has-been-really-important-to-me/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [Growing up, I was from kind of Nowhere, Maine. And, so, now having thousands of people reaching out to me via social media and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/growing-up-i-was-from-kind-of-nowhere-maine-and-so-now-having/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [Separate but equal does not work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/separate-but-equal-does-not-work/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [I knew that I was trans when I was three years old. Well, I didn't know 'trans' because I didn't know there was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/i-knew-that-i-was-trans-when-i-was-three-years-old-well-i-didn-t-know/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [My family knew that they loved me, and whatever this 'I want to be a girl' business was, it certainly wasn't about to change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/my-family-knew-that-they-loved-me-and-whatever-this-i-want-to-be-a/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [I hope I can help convince people there that being transgender is not a big deal and that we are just average people trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/i-hope-i-can-help-convince-people-there-that-being-transgender-is-not/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [I know from first-hand experience that separating transgender students from their peers can cause many to leave school, hide who they are, or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/i-know-from-first-hand-experience-that-separating-transgender/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [Children are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/children-are-a-lot-smarter-than-we-give-them-credit-for/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) > [What I'm really excited for is to see the evolution of trans characters and see more diverse stories be told, so that every time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-maines/what-i-m-really-excited-for-is-to-see-the-evolution-of-trans/) [Nicole Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) [Explore all 54 Nicole Maines quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-maines/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/) [Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/) [Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/) > [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) [Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Historically, we have seen cis men play trans women and vice versa. 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