Photo credit: Oxygen

The new original series Strut, premiering September 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Oxygen, promises viewers an all-access pass into the lives of transgender models (l-r) Dominique Jackson, Ren Spriggs, Laith De La Cruz, Isis King, and Arisce Wanzer as they aspire to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry with the help of Slay Model Management, the world’s first exclusively transgender modeling agency.

Whoopi Goldberg, the show’s executive producer commented, “This show is important right now because for all of the positive advances the community has made and continues to make, transgender is still a hot-button word that gets people hysterical. People tend to focus on the stereotype instead of the person, and this series will give viewers a unique opportunity to spend time with real people who are struggling with the same challenges we all face as we make our way through the world.”

While transgender models are not new to the modeling scene – having graced magazine covers and catwalks for decades – Strut gives an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into how these models navigate everything from the competition of the fashion industry, conversations with family, to coming to terms with themselves and breaking down gender and beauty barriers.

Tune in to see what transpires!

GLAAD’s Transgender Media Program team, Nick Adams and Alex Schmider, met with the Oxygen cast and crew in Los Angeles at NBCUniversal Studios in August.