Harmony Santana | Transgender Woman

Harmony Santana has made tremendous strides for the transgender community over the past decade. She is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. She takes credit for being the first openly transgender woman to be nominated for significant acting rewards in the US. Santana received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance on the coming-of-age film Gun Hill Road of 2011 at the Independent Spirit Award ceremony.

Before being cast for her historic role, Santana lived in a group home in Manhattan, New York. The house became a catering venue for LGBTQ individuals, and director Rashad Ernesto Green scouted her at a Pride Parade in Queens. Rashad found the perfect role for her, in which she would not disappoint. Apart from Gun Hill, Santana also has roles in the comedy film franchise Eating Out, where she appeared in the 4th and 5th installment.