"Glee" Character Comes Out as a Trans Man

In the sixth and final season of "Glee," the show once again dealt with transgender issues, as football coach Shannon Beiste, played by out actor Dot-Marie Jones, came out as a transgender man.

SheWired writes that on January 16's Episode 3, "Jagged Little Tapestry," Bieste tells assistant coach Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Principal Sue Sylvester (lesbian actor Jane Lynch) that she now identifies as a transgender man, and will take a leave of absence to medically transition.

Sources say that Coach Bieste will return to McKinley High before the show finishes this season.

In a call with The Advocate, Jones described the filming process as "one the most emotional [set of] days I've ever had in my life. It was amazing."

"My biggest thing is just being respectful," Jones tells The Advocate. "The last thing I want to do is disrespect anybody in what I'm portraying, and to do it respectfully and with class, and with dignity and pride, and I could not have been prouder than I was that day [that we filmed those scenes]."

Jones said that although she isn't transgender, because of her height and the fact that she's "not the most feminine wallflower" means she often gets mistaken as a man. The 6-foot, 3-inch self-described actor said she can't remember many days that "somebody hasn't called me 'sir.'"

"It used to really strike a nerve with me, to where when I was younger, it was almost fighting words," says Jones. "[But] you've gotta learn to love yourself and accept yourself, and then surround yourself with people that get you, and love you for who and what you are."

Design & Trend notes that the storyline, which will be the first female-to-male transition arc on a mainstream TV show, will be "very emotional" but it will be treated carefully and respectfully, according to the sources.

They cited the Instagram photo above as evidence of the character's transition, noting that Jones was sporting short hair, slicked and parted to the side, some facial hair, and is wearing a shirt and tie.

"I want to thank the folks at #Glee for working with our community!! We are here for all of you, much love and equality to you all!! @dotmariejones," Instgram user briaen captioned the photo, confirming that the picture was taken on the set of the Golden Globe-winning show.