(loved trope) Trans characters who do not/cannot pass but everyone still respects their identity

[u/altrightobserver]

• Lev from The Last of Us Part II: Lev is a trans boy who cannot medically transition due to being in a zombie apocalypse with a fascist government, yet the main cast in the story supports and affirms him as male.
• Denise Bryson from Twin Peaks: A trans woman DEA and FBI agent. She does not pass in the series, which is an integral part of her character; her boss simply tells people who don't like it to "fix their hearts or die."
• Cordelia from Vinland Saga: As a trans woman living in Northern Europe during the Viking age, it is impossible for Cordelia, who has a hulking, muscular figure, to transition to female. But despite not looking the part physically, everyone is cool with it and refers to her as female.
• Ladiva from Granblue Fantasy: A pro wrestler who makes no attempts to pass (save for hair) and is still beloved by the cast as a maternal figure, serving as a stark contrast to her species' women who are petite.

Edit: typos and incorrect lore fixes

[u/CoffeeWanderer]

I know you said almost, so I'm gonna cherish those examples that feel better.

Kiku is a passing MtF samurai that has shown to be an adept warrior but also is the heart of her group.

Bon Clay is non-binary and has a silly yet powerful phrase in "You can stray from the path of a man, or the path of a woman, but there's no straying from the path of a human."

Ivankov falls into that eerie look that Oda tends to use for most Okama, but they are a very nuanced character with a really interesting backstory. A Queer anarchist in all definitions of the word queer.

All that said... there's no defending the gag jokes in the series. It really feels like Oda got stuck in some stereotypes and gag jokes he likes to repeat quite often. It's like how he is very capable of designing very interesting female characters, yet most relevant ones are Nami clones.

[u/Sukivaria → u/CoffeeWanderer]

I have no issue with Kiku(other than she's an example of "the magical trans woman" who suppress male puberty through sheer wishful thinking), Bon Clay, or Ivankov(Love a Tim Curry rep and we're seen him use different forms as he pleases, as does his lieutenant), it's the Okamas of Okama island and later Morley who is literally just a neckbeard in a mini-dress which is the most TERF-y caricature I can think of, that are played as a gag and a gag-reflex for Sanji who loves all women, but hey they're good guys and the good guys respect them and are kind to them so it's totally fine that they're literally the most transphobic caricatures you'll come across.

But no, Bon Clay is great. Genuinely love how they're a silly comic relief character who ends up having a really emotional arc.