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Tommy Dorfman, Lena Dunham

Tommy Dorfmanis ready for her close-up.

The13 Reasons Whyalum, 29, says she’s “really grateful” for her role inLena Dunham’s upcoming filmSharp Stick, telling PEOPLE about filming her first project since herreintroduction as a trans womanlast year, as shemarks International Trans Day of VisibilitywithVisible.

“What’s funny about that is I shot that so early on in my transition that I don’t even recognize that person anymore,” Dorfman muses. “And yet I love her, and I admire her. And I think she’s beautiful. And I’m excited for that movie to come out.”

She adds that she’s “really proud” of Dunham, 35, whom she considers “a really good friend of mine, who I love.” Dorfman previouslyserved as a bridesmaid, alongsideTaylor Swift, in Dunham’s intimate London wedding to musicianLuis Felberin September.

“And I think she’s been such an influence for me as a storyteller to have an opportunity to play a small role in a larger story as a trans woman that has nothing to do with her being trans,” she explains. “It just happens to be the character.”

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Tommy Dorfman attends the Balmain Festival as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2022 at La Seine Musicale on September 29, 2021 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

“I think in the film is a gift,” Dorfman says. “And it was great to have a safe space to go to work for the first time. I’m still very conscientious of that, as all trans people are. Because at the end of the day, we don’t all have the privilege to stop working and transition until we feel comfortable working again.

“So I was really grateful to continue to work in the evolution of my body and my spirit and my soul and my craft in this way. I’m still very much excited about continuing to do what I do, and do what I love,” she adds.

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“Every day I wake up, there’s no end to a transition. It’s not a destination,” she muses. “It’s an evolution of self. It’s a homecoming is the way that I like to look at it.

“And every day I wake up, and I see a photo of myself, even if it’s the worst paparazzi picture ever, I still see a true version of myself as time goes on. And that type of euphoria, as opposed to the dysphoria that I was feeling before, it’s hard to put into words the amount of gratitude I feel for living my most autonomous, authentic life,” Dorfman says.

Dorfman is one of several influential trans voices participating in Visible’sTDOV campaign, sharing a virtualconversationwithMatt Bernstein. Visible has utilized funds to supportTrans Lifelinethrough their virtual accelerator programVisible Connect, and this TDOV, they’re making a donation to theIt Gets Better Project.

source: people.com