It’s not an exaggeration to say that Yasmin Finney is the moment. So much so, that it’s hard to remember a time when she wasn’t living her best life in the limelight – all while advocating for a better future for the trans community. Having only just turned 19 this August, she’s already achieved so much and touched so many lives. As we near the end of 2022, who knows how else she’s going to continue to make queerstory in the years to come.
Back in April, Yasmin burst onto our TVs in Netflix’s beloved adaptation of the Heartstopper comics. She instantly became a fan favourite for her portrayal of Elle Argent, a young trans girl navigating transferring to an all-girls school. Watching Heartstopper, I often found myself contemplating how different my life would’ve been if I had been a teen when Elle existed onscreen. I believe I would’ve grown up with less fear, less shame and more hope and joy. While the future can seem bleak, knowing that there is a generation of young people who have grown up with Yasmin on their screens fills me with optimism – that those who share lived experiences with her will feel seen, and those who do not, will understand that trans is beautiful.