During November Transgender Awareness Week takes place week beginning on the 12th finishing with Transgender Day of Remembrance on the 19th. With this in mind we have chosen Ash Palmisciano as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.
Ash is an actor and is best known for playing Matty Barton in Emmerdale. He is the first transgender actor to play a transgender character in the soap.
Ash was initially an adviser on the storyline working with the charity ‘All About Trans’ whose work relates to achieving positive representations in the media of trans people. However during the time he was on the set he was invited to audition for the part and was offered the role.
Ash thought that as he has a similar background to the character he could really empathise with his character, but also, as an actor, it was a fantastic first job to work on a soap like Emmerdale.
He is also hoping to be a role model for others to show that although you might have a past and a bit of a journey to be who you are, you can achieve your dreams and ambitions.
Ash has also worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and was the first transgender actor to appear on the RSC stage. His other work includes Summer In London at Theatre Royal, Stratford East and Boy Meets Girl for the BBC.
Find out more about Ash here https://twitter.com/Ash_Palmo and about Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance here https://www.glaad.org/transweek