Nicole Maines
Nicole Maines (born Wyatt Benjamin Maines; October 7, 1997) is an American actress and author recognized for her role as Nia Nal, a superheroine with precognitive abilities, in the CW series Supergirl from 2018 to 2021, which featured the first transgender superhero in live-action television.[1][2] Born biologically male in Gloversville, New York, as the twin brother of Jonas Maines, she began presenting as female in early childhood, prompting her family to relocate from Orono, Maine, after conflicts over school policies.[3][1] Maines rose to prominence through her involvement as the plaintiff in Doe v. Regional School Unit 26, a 2014 Maine Supreme Judicial Court case where she successfully argued against a school district's requirement that she use a staff restroom or unisex facilities instead of the girls' restroom, with the court ruling that the policy violated the Maine Human Rights Act by discriminating based on gender identity.[4][5] The decision established precedent for transgender students' access to facilities aligning with their presented gender in Maine public schools but has been cited in broader debates over privacy and safety in sex-segregated spaces.[6][7] In addition to acting in projects like the horror film Bit (2019), guest appearances on DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and a role in Yellowjackets, Maines has authored works including a memoir and contributes to transgender advocacy, though her public profile stems primarily from media portrayals emphasizing identity-related milestones over other professional metrics.[8][9][10]Early life
Family and upbringing
Nicole Maines and her identical twin brother Jonas were born on October 7, 1997, in Gloversville, New York, as male children; Maines was named Wyatt Benjamin Maines at birth.[3][11] The twins were adopted shortly after birth by Kelly Maines, the second cousin of their birth mother, and her husband Wayne Maines, a civil engineer.[9][12] The family relocated from New York to Portland, Maine, during the twins' early years, where Maines spent her childhood and attended local schools.[13][14] Kelly Maines worked as a registered nurse, contributing to a working-class household environment focused on the children's development amid emerging family challenges related to Maines' gender identity.[15] The parents, initially described in media accounts as conservative-leaning, navigated these issues through consultation with medical professionals and eventual public advocacy.[16]Gender dysphoria onset and transition process
Nicole Maines, born Wyatt Maines on October 7, 1997, alongside identical twin brother Jonas, exhibited early signs of gender incongruence as a toddler. By age 2, Wyatt expressed distress over his male anatomy, repeatedly asking parents Kelly and Wayne Maines, "When do I get to be a girl?" and "When will my penis fall off?"[17] These behaviors persisted, with Wyatt preferring female-typical toys, clothing, and activities from preschool onward, often leading to emotional outbursts when forced to conform to male norms.[17] By age 3, Maines later recalled knowing she was "supposed to be a girl," though lacking terminology like "transgender" at the time.[18] Family members noted Wyatt's twin, Jonas, showed no such incongruence, highlighting the divergence despite their identical genetics.[17] The Maines family, initially conservative and unprepared, responded with a mix of confusion and gradual support. In first grade around age 6, Wyatt wore a princess dress to a party, prompting harsh rebuke from father Wayne but affirmation from mother Kelly, who began allowing long hair and girls' clothing at home.[17] The parents sought guidance from counselors and medical professionals, who advised monitoring the persistence of Wyatt's self-identification rather than immediate intervention.[11] Social transition accelerated around age 8–9; the family legally changed Wyatt's name to Nicole, inspired by a television character, and allowed full presentation as female.[18][17] Brother Jonas publicly affirmed to their father, "You have a son and a daughter," aiding Wayne's acceptance.[17] Maines has described this period as instinctual, with family proceeding slowly to ensure stability, crediting their support for avoiding rejection common in other cases.[19] Medical interventions began in early adolescence to address puberty-related distress. At age 11, Nicole started puberty blockers to halt male secondary sex characteristics like body hair and voice deepening, following consultation with specialists.[20][21] As a teenager, she transitioned to estrogen hormone therapy to induce female secondary traits.[22] Full surgical transition occurred in July 2015, shortly after high school graduation at age 17, involving sex-reassignment procedures in Philadelphia.[17] No formal gender dysphoria diagnosis date is detailed in family accounts, but professional oversight emphasized the persistence of Nicole's childhood identifications as a basis for proceeding.[11]Doe v. Regional School Unit 26 lawsuit
In 2007, Nicole Maines, a biologically male student who had identified as female since approximately age four and presented as such at school, was initially permitted by George Stevens Academy in Orono, Maine—part of Regional School Unit 26 (RSU 26)—to use the girls' restroom during her fifth-grade year.[23] This arrangement followed consultations with her parents, Wayne and Kelly Maines, and school officials, who accommodated her gender identity presentation without incident until a specific event.[4] The policy changed after a male classmate peered over a bathroom stall and observed Maines in the girls' restroom, prompting complaints from that student's parent about privacy violations and potential discomfort for other girls.[5] In response, RSU 26 directed Maines to use a unisex staff restroom instead, citing concerns for the privacy and safety of all students, though no formal complaint of harassment or assault was reported against her.[23] Maines' parents objected, arguing the restriction singled her out based on her gender nonconformity, and withdrew her from the school shortly thereafter.[24] In November 2009, Maines' parents, identified as John and Jane Doe, filed a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission (MHRC), alleging discrimination under the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which prohibits discrimination in education based on sex and sexual orientation but did not explicitly mention gender identity at the time.[23] The MHRC found reasonable grounds for the claim in 2011 and pursued litigation alongside the family against RSU 26 and school officials, framing the restroom ban as sexual orientation discrimination—interpreted by advocates to encompass nonconformity with birth sex stereotypes.[4] The suit sought injunctive relief, damages, and policy changes to allow transgender-identifying students restroom access aligning with their presented gender.[25] The Penobscot County Superior Court granted summary judgment to RSU 26 in November 2012, ruling that the MHRA's sexual orientation protections did not extend to gender identity and that the school's neutral policy served legitimate privacy interests without animus.[26] On appeal, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court vacated this decision on January 29, 2014, holding 4-1 that excluding Maines from the girls' restroom constituted sexual orientation discrimination under the MHRA, as it targeted her nonconforming gender expression; the majority emphasized deference to legislative intent while extending protections analogously, without addressing competing privacy claims from cisgender students in depth.[23][27] The dissenting justice argued the ruling judicially expanded the statute beyond its text, potentially overlooking biological sex distinctions and other students' rights.[23] Following the Supreme Court ruling, RSU 26 settled the case in December 2014, agreeing to pay Maines $75,000 in damages and attorney's fees, while affirming no admission of liability and committing to updated nondiscrimination training.[28] The decision was hailed by transgender rights groups like GLAD and the ACLU as a precedent for bathroom access aligned with gender identity, though critics, including some education law analysts, noted it prioritized one student's accommodation over uniform privacy policies without empirical evidence on broader impacts like student discomfort or safety.[4][29] The case influenced subsequent Maine policies but predated explicit gender identity additions to the MHRA in 2021.[30]Activism
Transgender rights advocacy
Nicole Maines has engaged in transgender rights advocacy primarily through public speaking, policy testimony, and receiving honors from advocacy organizations, focusing on issues such as school facility access for transgender youth and media representation. Following her involvement in the 2014 Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruling in Doe v. Regional School Unit 26, which affirmed her right as a transgender student to use school bathrooms consistent with her gender identity, Maines testified before the Maine legislature in 2019, sharing her personal experiences to contribute to the defeat of a proposed bill that would have restricted transgender students' bathroom access.[3] In 2016, Maines delivered a TEDxSMCC talk titled "Transgender: You're Part of the Story," emphasizing the role of bystanders in supporting transgender individuals and calling for allyship in everyday interactions.[31] She expanded on these themes in a 2021 TED Talk, "The trans story includes you," arguing that personal narratives intersect and urging audiences to recognize their influence in transgender experiences.[32] Maines has spoken at events hosted by organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), including the 2022 Greater New York Dinner, where she addressed transgender visibility and equality.[33] Maines received the Roger Baldwin Award from the ACLU of Maine for her advocacy on behalf of transgender youth.[34] In 2018, HRC honored her with the Visibility Award at its Chicago Gala Dinner, recognizing her efforts in advancing LGBTQ+ rights through acting and activism.[35] She has also appeared at GLAAD Media Awards events, such as in 2016, highlighting the importance of transgender representation in media.[36] In her 2024 memoir, It Gets Better…Except When It Gets Worse, Maines recounts challenges in transgender advocacy, including resistance to youth transitions and the need for authentic storytelling.[37] Her advocacy extends to campus and educational settings, including a 2017 lecture at Arcadia University on LGBTQ+ allyship and involvement in campus events.[38] In 2023, she participated in a virtual event at Washington University in St. Louis as part of its Diversity Perspectives series, discussing pathways for LGBTQ+ youth in media and activism.[39] Maines has advocated for hiring transgender writers in media to improve representation, as noted in a 2024 GLAAD interview.[40]Major public appearances and writings on activism
Maines delivered a TEDx talk titled "Transgender: You're Part of the Story" on May 6, 2016, at TEDxSMCC in South Portland, Maine, where she shared her personal experiences with gender dysphoria and school discrimination, urging audiences to recognize their potential influence in supporting transgender individuals.[31] [41] In September 2021, she presented a TED talk entitled "The trans story includes you," emphasizing interpersonal roles in personal narratives and the unintended impacts of bystanders on transgender lives.[32] At the Human Rights Campaign's Greater New York Dinner on April 30, 2022, Maines spoke in defense of transgender youth policies, stating that "gender-affirming care saves lives," denying parental grooming of children, and rejecting assertions of inherent athletic advantages for transgender competitors.[33] [42] She headlined Sacramento State University's One Book Day event on October 18, 2018, discussing her transition from legal battles over school bathroom access to acting roles that promote transgender visibility.[43] [44] Maines participated in the 2016 documentary The Trans List, directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, alongside figures such as Laverne Cox and Miss Major, contributing segments on transgender experiences and advocacy.[45] In her 2024 memoir It Gets Better…Except When It Gets Worse, Maines detailed her activism, including the 2014 Maine Supreme Judicial Court victory in Doe v. Regional School Unit 26 and subsequent efforts to influence policy against restrictive bills targeting transgender students.[37] [3]Controversies and opposing perspectives
Maines' advocacy for access to gender-affirming medical interventions for transgender youth, including opposition to state bans on such treatments, has faced scrutiny from medical reviewers emphasizing evidentiary gaps. In 2021, she described Arkansas' restrictions on care for minors as "cruel," asserting that transgender children are capable of understanding their needs for hormone therapies and blockers.[46] Similarly, in June 2025, she criticized a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding bans on gender-affirming care for minors, framing it as denying essential support.[47] Opposing analyses, such as the 2024 Cass Review commissioned by the UK's National Health Service, determined that the evidence base for puberty blockers in treating gender dysphoria is "remarkably weak," with moderate-quality data indicating compromised bone density and height during treatment but no consistent mental health improvements; the review recommended against routine use outside research settings due to insufficient long-term outcome data.[48] [49] Critics of early medical transitions, including those Maines underwent beginning around age 9, highlight high desistance rates among youth with gender dysphoria. Prospective studies, such as a follow-up of boys referred for gender identity concerns, report desistance rates of approximately 88% by adulthood, with many developing non-heterosexual orientations absent persistent dysphoria.[50] Another longitudinal analysis found 80% desistance by ages 15-16 in a cohort of children meeting diagnostic criteria.[51] These findings underpin arguments for watchful waiting over affirmative interventions, positing that social and medical transitions may reduce natural resolution rates, as evidenced by lower persistence in untreated historical cohorts compared to socially transitioned youth (where retransition occurs in only 7.3% after five years but long-term data remains limited).[52] Maines' own account in her 2024 memoir describes post-transition challenges, including ongoing dysphoria and family strains, despite parental support, illustrating variability in outcomes that challenges uniform advocacy narratives.[37] Her push for gender-identity-based access to sex-segregated facilities, rooted in her early legal victory, elicits concerns over biological sex-based protections. While empirical studies report no detectable rise in restroom incidents following trans-inclusive policies, opponents contend these overlook privacy erosions and vulnerability disparities between sexes, particularly for females, where male physiological advantages persist regardless of identity.[53] In Maines' 2014 Maine case, opposition arose from a fellow student's family citing discomfort with a biologically male peer in the girls' restroom, prompting the school's interim staff-bathroom accommodation before the ruling deemed it discriminatory. Gender-critical perspectives argue such precedents subordinate empirical sex differences to subjective identity, potentially enabling misuse, though verified assault data tied to policy changes remains absent.[54] Maines maintains these rights are foundational to dignity, yet detractors prioritize causal realities of sex dimorphism in safeguarding single-sex spaces.Career
Entry into acting
Maines made her professional acting debut in 2015 with a guest-starring role on the USA Network series Royal Pains, appearing in the episode "Oh, Butterfingers" aired on June 23.[55] At the time, she was a 17-year-old high school senior balancing her early activism with nascent interest in performance, having previously participated in theater during her involvement in transgender rights advocacy.[45] Following this initial role, Maines experienced a three-year period without securing further acting work, during which she nearly abandoned the pursuit.[45] She had enrolled at the University of Maine but dropped out to focus on acting opportunities.[2] Her breakthrough came in 2018 when she was cast as Nia Nal, also known as Dreamer, in the fourth season of The CW's Supergirl, marking the character's introduction as television's first transgender superhero.[56] The casting was announced on July 21, 2018, with Maines recurring through the show's sixth and final season in 2021.[57] Nia Nal, a reporter and the daughter of Paul Nal and the late Isabel Nal, possesses dream-based precognitive abilities, and Maines' portrayal emphasized the character's transgender identity as integral to her narrative arc.[56][58] The season premiered on October 14, 2018, elevating Maines' profile in the industry.[57]Writing and comic book contributions
Maines entered comic book writing with the eight-page story "Date Night," featuring the character Dreamer (Nia Nal), in the anthology DC Pride 2021, released on June 8, 2021.[59] The narrative depicted Dreamer on a date amid themes of LGBTQ+ liberation, marking the character's initial comic book appearance beyond the Arrowverse television adaptation.[60] She co-wrote Superman: Son of Kal-El #13 with Tom Taylor, published July 12, 2022, which integrated Dreamer into DC's primary continuity through a time-travel plot involving Jon Kent.[61] This issue, illustrated by Clayton Henry, emphasized Dreamer's prophetic abilities in averting apocalyptic scenarios.[62] In 2024, Maines authored the young adult graphic novel Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story, illustrated by Rye Hickman and published April 2, 2024, detailing Dreamer's origin on her homeworld of Naltor and early struggles with prophetic visions.[63] The 208-page work explores self-reliance and identity amid interstellar conflict. Maines wrote the six-issue Suicide Squad: Dream Team miniseries, with art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira, debuting March 12, 2024, where Dreamer joins Task Force X under Amanda Waller in a spin-off from Action Comics and Titans: Beast World.[64] The collected edition followed on December 10, 2024.[65] Beyond comics, Maines published the memoir It Gets Better . . . Except When It Gets Worse: And Other Unsolicited Truths I Wish Someone Had Told Me on October 15, 2024, recounting her experiences as a transgender individual from childhood legal battles to public life.[66]Works
Filmography
Nicole Maines made her acting debut in 2015 with a guest role as Anna in the television series Royal Pains, appearing in the episode "The Prince of Nucleotides".[8] She gained prominence in 2018 for her recurring role as Nia Nal, later known as Dreamer, in the CW series Supergirl, becoming a series regular from season 4 through its conclusion in 2021 after 61 episodes. Maines reprised the character in crossover appearances, including as Dreamer in DC's Legends of Tomorrow in 2020 and The Flash in 2021. Her film roles include the lead in the 2019 horror film Bit, where she portrayed Laurel, a transgender teenager navigating a vampire pack. In 2022, she appeared as Piper in the teen comedy Darby and the Dead.[67] Maines has also featured in documentaries such as The Trans List (2016) and Not Your Skin (2017), portraying herself.[68] More recently, she guest-starred as Lisa in Yellowjackets in 2023.[69] Additional credits include minor roles in Good Trouble (2019) and the short film Clean Slate (2023).[70]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Royal Pains | Anna | TV | Guest; 1 episode [8] |
| 2016 | The Trans List | Herself | Film | Documentary [68] |
| 2017 | Not Your Skin | Herself | Film | Short documentary [71] |
| 2018–2021 | Supergirl | Nia Nal / Dreamer | TV | Recurring then main; seasons 4–6 |
| 2019 | Bit | Laurel | Film | Lead role |
| 2019 | Good Trouble | Herself | TV | Guest appearance [70] |
| 2020 | DC's Legends of Tomorrow | Dreamer | TV | Guest; crossover |
| 2021 | The Flash | Nia Nal / Dreamer | TV | Guest; crossover |
| 2022 | Darby and the Dead | Piper | Film | Supporting role [67] |
| 2023 | Yellowjackets | Lisa | TV | Guest [69] |
| 2023 | Clean Slate | White Natasha | Film | Short film [69] |
Bibliography
- It Gets Better . . . Except When It Gets Worse: And Other Unsolicited Truths I Wish Someone Had Told Me. New York: Penguin Random House, 2024.[66]
- Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story. Written by Nicole Maines; illustrated by Rye Hickman. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2024.[72]
- Suicide Squad: Dream Team. Written by Nicole Maines; art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2024.[64]
- Secret Six (issues #1–6). Written by Nicole Maines; art by Stephen Segovia. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2025.
Personal life and public image
Relationships and family dynamics
Nicole Maines was adopted at birth in 1997 along with her identical twin brother Jonas by parents Kelly and Wayne Maines, who provided a supportive environment amid her early expressions of gender dysphoria.[73] From toddlerhood, Maines—originally named Wyatt—insisted on feminine clothing and identity, prompting her parents to seek medical guidance and affirm her gender identity by age four, including social transition and later hormone therapy.[11] The family's dynamics centered on advocacy and adaptation, as detailed in the 2015 book Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt, which chronicles their consultations with psychologists and decisions to prioritize her psychological well-being over initial skepticism from extended relatives.[11] Maines maintains a close bond with her twin brother Jonas, who identifies as male and has publicly supported her transition, with the siblings appearing together at events like the 2016 GLAAD Media Awards.[18] Their relationship reflects resilience amid shared childhood challenges, including a 2014 Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruling in favor of Nicole against school discrimination over bathroom access, which strengthened family unity.[11] By 2015, both twins had entered college, marking their first prolonged separation, though Jonas has described their connection as enduring despite differing gender paths.[18] In romantic relationships, Maines dated cosplayer and TikTok creator Nate Weir starting around 2021, publicly sharing affectionate content in early 2022, including Valentine's Day posts highlighting mutual support.[74] The couple's dynamic emphasized partnership in creative pursuits, but no verified updates confirm its status beyond 2022, with Maines later discussing general challenges of dating as a transgender woman in public forums.[74]Health and long-term outcomes of transition
Maines began medical transition with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones in her early adolescence, following guidelines from medical professionals supportive of youth gender dysphoria treatment.[11] She underwent gender-affirming bottom surgery shortly after high school graduation in 2015, at approximately age 18, which she described at the time as a long-anticipated step aligning her body with her identity.[75] Post-surgery, Maines experienced significant complications from the procedure, attributing them to surgical incompetence rather than the intervention itself.[76] She required multiple revisions, with the outcome described as "exponentially better" after corrections but still falling short of expectations, leading to a profound sense of emotional loss and ongoing dissatisfaction with the physical results.[76] These issues contributed to mental health challenges, including difficulties in repairing psychological well-being in the aftermath, compounded by her pre-existing ADHD.[76] Despite these setbacks, Maines has publicly affirmed overall satisfaction with transitioning, emphasizing improved alignment with her self-identity and functionality as an adult contributing to society.[76] [19] She has characterized her early social and medical transition—starting blockers and hormones young under supportive parental and medical oversight—as a fortunate circumstance that mitigated distress, with no reported regrets over pursuing it.[19] As of 2024, nearly a decade post-surgery, she continues professional work in acting and advocacy, framing her experiences as evidence of resilience amid imperfect medical execution.[76]Reception
Awards and accolades
Maines received the Grand Jury Prize for Best Performance at the 2019 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival for her role in the horror film Bit.[77] In recognition of her advocacy work, she was awarded the Human Rights Campaign's Visibility Award at the 2018 HRC Chicago Gala.[35] She also received the Andy Cray Award for Health & Youth Advocacy from the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2019.[34] For her contributions to comics, Maines won a GLAAD Media Award in 2025 for Outstanding Comic Book for Suicide Squad: Dream Team, which she wrote.[78] Other accolades include being named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 Hollywood list in 2024[79] and honoring as a Variety Power of Young Hollywood and Power of Pride recipient in 2022.[80]| Year | Award | Category/Work | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Visibility Award | Advocacy | Human Rights Campaign[35] |
| 2019 | Grand Jury Prize for Best Performance | Bit | Outfest[77] |
| 2019 | Andy Cray Award | Health & Youth Advocacy | National Center for Transgender Equality[34] |
| 2022 | Power of Young Hollywood Honoree | Career impact | Variety[80] |
| 2022 | Power of Pride Honoree | LGBTQ+ contributions | Variety[80] |
| 2024 | 30 Under 30 | Hollywood | Forbes[79] |
| 2025 | Media Award | Outstanding Comic Book (Suicide Squad: Dream Team) | GLAAD[78] |