Nicole Maines

Nicole Maines, born on October 7, 1997, in Gloversville, New York, is an American actress, writer, and transgender rights activist. She and her identical twin brother, Jonas, were adopted at birth by Kelly and Wayne Maines. The family later relocated to Portland, Maine, where Maines’ early life involved a significant legal battle for transgender rights. At a young age, Maines identified as a girl, a realization that led to a pivotal lawsuit. While in elementary school, she was denied access to the girls’ bathroom after a complaint, leading her family to file suit against the Orono school district, RSU 26, alleging discrimination. This landmark case, Doe v. Regional School Unit 26, concluded in 2014 with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruling in her favor, establishing that barring transgender students from bathrooms consistent with their gender identity is unlawful. This ruling marked a significant legal precedent in the United States and brought Maines into the public eye as a prominent voice for transgender rights.

Following this legal victory, Maines broadened her public presence and advocacy through various media. In 2015, she appeared on the USA Network show, “Royal Pains,” portraying a transgender teenager, marking one of her early acting roles. The same year, she became the subject of Amy Ellis Nutt’s book, “Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family,” which chronicled her family’s journey. Her acting career continued to develop, leading to her casting in 2018 as Nia Nal/Dreamer in The CW series “Supergirl.” This role was historic, as Maines became the first person to portray a transgender superhero on television, a role she maintained through the show’s conclusion in 2021. She reprised the role in an episode of “The Flash” in 2023. Additionally, Maines has featured in films such as “Bit” (2019), a horror movie where she won an acting prize at Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, and “Darby and the Dead” (2022). She also has a recurring role as Lisa in the Showtime series “Yellowjackets” (2023–present).

Beyond her acting career, Maines contributes to discussions on transgender representation. She has written for DC Comics, including a short story in “DC Pride #1” (2021) and contributing to the comic book debut of her character, Dreamer, in “Superman: Son of Kal-El” (2022). Her career reflects a dual commitment to artistic expression and social advocacy, utilizing her platform to foster greater understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals. Nicole Maines continues to engage in public speaking and initiatives aimed at supporting the transgender community, earning several awards for her activism, including the Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign of Chicago in 2018 and the Andy Cray Award for Health & Youth Advocacy in 2019.