'Modern Family' to Feature One of TV's First Openly Transgender Child Actors

Eight year-old transgender actor Jackson Millarker will guest star in this week's episode of "Modern Family" as Lily's new friend

Lily's making a landmark new friend on "Modern Family."

Eight year-old transgender actor Jackson Millarker will guest star in this week's episode of "Modern Family" as Lily's (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) new friend, ABC confirms.

According to the official episode description, Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) think they overhear Lily insulting her new pal, and have to take a "quick look in the mirror" before they teach her a lesson about acceptance.

"So proud to have directed this amazing kid," the episode's director, Ryan Case, tweeted. She also posted a photo of herself with Millarker on Instagram.

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"This is Jackson Millarker," she wrote. "He's 8 years old, from Atlanta, and just happens to be transgender. He plays Lily's friend Tom in this week's Modern Family and he's wonderful. One of the many reasons I love being part of this show."

NewNowNext was the first to report the news.

Just last week, "Transparent" star Jeffrey Tambor used his Emmy acceptance speech for best actor in a comedy series to urge Hollywood to hire more transgender actors.

"I would not be unhappy were I the last cisgender male to play a female transgender on television," he said. "We have work to do."

"Modern Family" airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. on ABC.

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