Leo Sheng (born 1996)[1] is a Chinese American actor and activist known for playing Micah Lee on The L Word: Generation Q.

Leo Sheng
Born1996 (age 27–28)
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BA)
Occupation(s)Actor, activist

Early life and education

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Sheng was born in Hunan, China and was adopted and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan by an American lesbian couple.[2] He first came out as trans at age 12.[3]

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from the University of Michigan in 2017.[2] Sheng was accepted to the school's social work graduate program and planned to enroll, but left because he was cast in his first professional acting role in Adam.[2]

Career

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Sheng first gained attention when he was 17 and used YouTube and Instagram to document his transition.[4] In 2018, he acted in his first lead role in Rhys Ernst's Adam. He also appeared in the documentary Disclosure.[1] He is a lead character on Showtime's The L Word: Generation Q as Micah Lee, who is also a trans man. When he was 11, Sheng watched a clip of a transmasculine character, Max, on the original L Word series and came out as trans shortly after.[3]

Personal life

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Sheng resides in Los Angeles and identifies as a queer trans man.[1]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2019 Adam Ethan
2020 Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen Also creative consultant
2021 The Matrix Resurrections N/A Assistant

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2019–23 The L Word: Generation Q Micah Lee 19 episodes

References

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  1. ^ a b c Delaney, Lou (2020-06-19). "Leo Sheng, a Trans Activist Who Stars in 'The L Word'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  2. ^ a b c McFarlin, Jim (2019-11-05). "Actor Leo Sheng Makes His Small-Screen Debut in "The L Word" Reboot". Hour Detroit Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  3. ^ a b Kim, Michelle (2019-12-06). "Leo Sheng on How "The L Word" Reboot Is Going to Get Trans Representation Right". them. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  4. ^ Nichols, James (2014-10-15). "LOOK: This Trans Man Opens Up To The World About His Transition By Using Instagram". HuffPost. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
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