Trans Actor Isaiah Stannard and His Mom on Breaking Free of the ‘Repressive Ideals’ of Masculinity

– Isaiah Stannard –

This is about Isaiah Stannard who identifies as transgender. Continue reading to find out more

Who is Isaiah Stannard

Isaiah Stannard is a well-known American actor who is best known for his work in the popular American television series Good Girls (2018). He is an actor who has been in the business since he was in high school.

He has also appeared in some television shows and films. However, he rose to prominence after appearing in the television series Good Girls. Kristin Johansen, an American actress, model, and singer, is the father of Isaiah Stannard.

Isaiah Stannard was born in a Christian family on October 1, 2004, Friday in New York, United States of America.

He also has a sizable fan base on her social media accounts. Several people adore his acting abilities.

Isaiah Stannard Wiki/Bio

Stannard, who appears on NBC’s Good Girls, and his mother, Kristin Johansen, discuss Stannard’s transition as a transgender man. “You recognized me for who I was,” he says.

Isaiah Stannard, 16, plays Ben Marks, a transitioning transgender teen, on NBC’s Good Girls.

Ben’s story parallels the actor’s own. Isaiah came out as trans at the age of 12 and has had the support of his mother, Kristin Johansen, and her partner, Warren Marsh, to transition on his own terms and at his own pace.

In this week’s Pride issue of PEOPLE, Stannard and his family discuss coming out, femininity as a trans man, and “taking space.” As told to PEOPLE, Isaiah and Kristin had the following conversation:

Kristin: Isaiah came out as gay for the first time. After about a year, you said, ‘You know what? Actually, I believe I am trans.’ And I thought, ‘Cool.’

It didn’t come as a surprise to me. I was always like, ‘We’ll see what happens,’ because of who you were and how you acted since you were a little kid. That’s how I’ve always felt.

Isaiah: You saw me for who I was, and if I ever told you or shared more about myself, you were just fine with it. You were open and willing to learn and accept me as I changed and became my own person.

I’ve always felt supported by my family, and simply showing them more of who I am has strengthened that bond. I just feel more at ease around them.

Isaiah: I also feel a lot more at ease expressing myself in different ways these days. I used to avoid wearing pink, painting my nails, and doing other feminine things that now bring me great joy.

Euphoria and Hunter Schaeffer’s character Jules spoke to me a lot while I was watching it. I just thought it was really beautiful and encouraged me to continue disregarding gender and expression boundaries.

Kristin: And you look fantastic in heels, so…

Isaiah: Thank you very much. I feel very powerful on heels.

Kristin: It’s wonderful that you’re trans; it’s also lovely that you can express different aspects of yourself. We’ll still regard you as a man. I think you seemed so happy when you felt that freedom and truly knew it.

You just got really excited about being able to dress up, do your nails, or whatever

Isaiah: It’s almost liberating to be more feminine while still feeling secure and comfortable as a trans man. I just realized that if I wear six-inch heels, I’ll be six feet tall, which is fantastic.

Kristin: I’m so happy for him that he was able to move past conforming so quickly and become more fluid and himself. Simply observe what makes your child happy.

What appears to be making your child more alive, more themselves, and happier? That’s what you want to encourage. Look at how happy your child is when they pursue their authentic self.

Isaiah: I remember feeling like I had to conform to the repressive ideals that are placed on men in order for people to see me as a man when I first came out as trans. It took me a long time to realize that none of that matters to me.

What His Family Thinks About his Sexuality

Kristin: During Pride Month, we always dress up and attend the New York City Pride Parade.

Isaiah: And if not, we’ll most likely go to the park. I try to learn about queer history or watch documentaries to reconnect with my people’s roots.

Kristin: And we work with the Ackerman Institute in New York, which always has a pride float for kids. Pride is also for kids, and it’s a lot of fun to walk in the parade with a large group of kids and parents.

It’s a fantastic experience. I just wish all kids could do that and feel accepted, loved, and celebrated because not everyone has that opportunity as they grow up.

I see a lot of your direct messages from children all over the world.

They’re just afraid to be themselves, and they wish their parents would accept them. I couldn’t imagine refusing to accept Isaiah. That was definitely an eye-opening experience.

Isaiah: It makes me very happy and proud to be able to portray trans people on screen. I haven’t met many other trans actors, but I’m glad there’s more representation — and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

For me, visibility is taking up space in public and being unapologetic and true to oneself. It’s also important to represent a trans character on television because it’s a good representation.

That is a huge accomplishment. I believe that the industry is changing and that trans people are appearing in more stories and occupying more space in the media.

Good Girls’ creator Jenna Bans changed Ben Marks’ storyline after learning that Isaiah Stannard is trans

The original casting call for Annie’s child was for a son named Ben, but the showrunners eventually allowed children of any gender to audition. Jenna Bans, the show’s creator, had no idea Isaiah was trans when she cast him in the role.

Jenna changed Ben Marks’ storyline to fit the story of a trans child after learning about Isaiah’s gender identity.

Bans saw an opportunity to tell the story of a gender-nonconforming character without making it the main story.

The show’s writers collaborated closely with GLAAD, an American media monitoring organization run by the LGBTQ+ community, to ensure that they got Ben’s story right.

Ben appears in the show after the birth of his younger brother. “Yay, it’s a boy!”

Annie exclaims after the boy’s birth. Marks, who is still known by his given name Sadie, pause before responding, “So am I.” Annie then hugs Ben tightly and declares, “I’ve always wanted a boy.”

It was one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series.

Jenna revealed to Variety that Annie’s unwavering acceptance of Ben’s decision was as significant as Ben’s coming out moment.

“What’s most important to the character and the story we’re telling between Sadie and Annie is really about Sadie and her mother’s bond,” Jenna told Variety. Unfortunately, Ben’s father and Annie’s ex-husband dismissed Ben’s transgender declaration.

He recommended to Annie that Ben seek therapy. “She doesn’t need therapy; she’s discovering who she is,” Annie scoffed. Ben kept the name Annie in season two but changed it to Marks in season three. Annie is desperately trying to raise funds for Ben’s hormonal therapy, but Marks’ father, despite being financially secure, is hesitant to assist.

Isaiah’s mom and partner accepted his orientation and supported his transition

Kristin Johansen, Isaiah’s mother, and Warren Marsh, his partner, were instrumental in Isaiah’s acceptance and confidence in his orientation.

Kristin and Warren fostered an accepting environment that encouraged genuineness. Stannard came out as gay first, then as trans. Kristin stated to People:

“I believe that because we live in such a liberal environment, some people thought, ‘Maybe he’ll be trans, maybe he’ll be this or that.'” ‘Hey, let’s let Isaiah tell us,’ I was always saying. I was relieved that you came and simply told me.”

“You recognized me for who I was,” Isaiah said to Kristin. “I’ve always felt supported by my family, and simply showing them more of who I am has strengthened that bond.”

Stannard went on to say that he can express himself in any way because of his parents. Hunter Schafer’s character in Euphoria, he said, was the perfect example of fearless expression. “It’s awesome and beautiful that you’re trans, but it’s also okay to express different sides of yourself,” Kristin said.

“It’s almost liberating to be more feminine now while still feeling secure and comfortable as a trans man,” Isaiah added. Kristin stated that she will support whatever makes Taylor feel more alive, authentic, and happy.

Stannard struggled to land roles before making his breakthrough in Good Girls

Isaiah Stannard was born in New York City on October 1, 2004. He received voice and dance training at Professional Performing Arts School.

Isaiah struggled to land major roles despite doing well in school and having a lot of talent. He had to settle for minor roles before the casting directors of Good Girls saw his potential and offered him his big break. In a December 2020 interview on The Dev Show, he advised young actors not to give up:

“I would just say don’t give up because it’s very easy to get discouraged, especially when you’re auditioning frequently.” Before I got anything, I auditioned for years. It’s all too easy to think, “I’m just bad or they don’t like me.” There are so many reasons [for not being cast], but don’t take it personally.”

Stannard stated that he enjoys acting but is unsure if it is something he wants to pursue in the future. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” he said, “but I really enjoy acting.”

READ ALSO:

• What Is The Old Grannies Meme On TikTok? Grannies Meme Tricks Users
• How much should you weigh as a Woman with 5’1 Height
• Unique Thank You Quotes for Family and Friends
• Joe Gatto Affair And Scandal Explained – Why Did He Divorce His Wife?
• Missing: Who Is Adam Thornton, Found Dead or Alive? Explained

FAQs

Isaiah Stannard, 16, plays Ben Marks, a transitioning transgender teen, on NBC’s Good Girls. Ben’s story parallels the actor’s own. Isaiah came out as trans at the age of 12 and has had the support of his mother, Kristin Johansen, and her partner, Warren Marsh, to transition on his own terms and at his own pace.