The Legacy of Mr. Dressup: How a Canadian Classic Quietly Taught Us About Belonging
Did Casey from Mr. Dressup Have a Gender?
If you grew up watching Mr. Dressup, you probably remember Casey, the lively puppet with a childlike curiosity. But was Casey a boy or a girl?
The answer: neither.
Casey was intentionally created as androgynous by puppeteer Judith Lawrence. She designed Casey this way so that all children—regardless of gender—could see themselves in the character. Lawrence avoided assigning Casey a gender to be more inclusive.
This decision was groundbreaking for children’s television at the time. Unlike many shows that reinforced gender stereotypes, Mr. Dressup quietly introduced kids to the idea that not everyone fits into a neat binary.
The Unspoken Representation in Mr. Dressup
While Casey provided a nonbinary presence on the show, another cast member resonated deeply with me: Beverly Glenn-Copeland.
As a child, I couldn’t pinpoint what it was about Beverly that made me feel connected. I didn’t yet understand my own identity, but I knew that Beverly was different—different like me. That feeling of recognition, of quiet belonging, stayed with me long after my childhood years.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland was a regular on Mr. Dressup for over 25 years before stepping away to pursue music. It wasn’t until much later that he came out as a trans man. Learning this as an adult, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. I was transported back to my childhood living room, where Mr. Dressup and Beverly had unknowingly given me something priceless: a sense of community before I even had the language to define it.
The truth is, this was the only representation I got. A puppet without a gender. A musician who wouldn’t come out for decades. There were no explicitly queer characters on kids’ shows. No trans role models in the media. If you weren’t straight and cisgender, you had to learn to read between the lines—to find yourself in the spaces where queerness was implied but never spoken.
Why Representation Matters
When people say, “It doesn’t matter if kids see themselves in media,” they’re usually speaking from a place of privilege. The reality is, representation is not just about being seen—it’s about being understood.
Studies have consistently shown that representation in media has a profound effect on self-esteem, mental health, and societal acceptance:
A 2020 Common Sense Media study found that children who see themselves reflected in positive ways on screen are more likely to develop confidence and a sense of belonging.
The Journal of Children and Media reported that when kids are exposed to diverse characters in storytelling, they show greater empathy and understanding toward people who are different from them.
A 2022 GLAAD report found that early exposure to inclusive representation helps combat prejudice and reduces discrimination in adulthood.
For those who don’t see themselves reflected, the absence speaks volumes. It tells them they are not part of the story. That they are other. That they don’t belong.
This is why Mr. Dressup was so revolutionary, even if it didn’t set out to be. It didn’t need grand speeches about inclusion. It simply was inclusive.
Why Mr. Dressup Still Matters Today
Watching Mr. Dressup again as an adult, I can’t help but feel overwhelming gratitude. Ernie Coombs, Judith Lawrence, and Beverly Glenn-Copeland created something truly special—a space where kids could simply be themselves.
This is why Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe (directed by Robert McCallum) is such a triumph. The documentary perfectly captures the heart of what made the show so beloved, reminding us why kindness, creativity, and quiet representation matter so much.
If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor. Your heart needs this right now.
Final Thought
For a long time, a gender-neutral puppet and a future trans musician were all the representation I had. And for a long time, that had to be enough.
The question is: why are we still expecting queer kids to settle for “just enough”?
