As anti-trans policies continue to escalate at the national and state level, local organizing has become a bastion of hope. This week, Imara talks with two leaders working to protect their communities in increasingly hostile environments. First, she’s joined by Iowa-based advocate Max Mowitz who unpacks the surprising removal of gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights law. They discuss the impact of corporate withdrawal from LGBTQ+ causes and the ways that mutual aid has helped fill the growing financial needs of trans Iowans. Imara then talks with Daroneshia Duncan-Boyd about her 10+ years of experience serving trans women of color in Birmingham, Alabama, plus why she has no time for performative leadership. 

Subscribe to The Mess: Imara’s Guide to Our Political Hellscape on Apple Podcasts.

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Arya Shae: Instagram (@transaffirmidaho)

Max Mowtiz: Instagram (@iowatransmutualaidfund @maxwellhowdy) 

Daroneshia Duncan-Boyd: Instagram (@daroneshia_duncan)

TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Authoritarian forces around the world are reshaping digital technologies into tools of control. This week, Imara dives into the growing threat of digital authoritarianism in the United States with writer and scholar Katherine Alejandra Cross. Katherine unpacks why social media has become such a radicalizing force in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and development of individualizing algorithms. She and Imara also dig into the techno-authoritarian beliefs behind the "California ideology,” the way that Web 2.0 undermines collective action, and why Elon Musk’s power grab is a sign of desperation within Silicon Valley elite. 

Subscribe to The Mess: Imara’s Guide to Our Political Hellscape on Apple Podcasts.

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Katherine Alejandra Cross: Bluesky (@quinnae.com)

TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From indie gems to mainstream titles, trans developers and gamers are reshaping the industry, making room for stories that reflect our lives and experiences. This week, Imara looks into the power of trans expression and representation in video games. First, she sits down with Charlotte A. McGrath to explore the intersection of gaming and comedy, digging into how they both create opportunity for connection and expression. Charlotte shares how she discovered she was trans by playing Zelda and what it was like to come out in a post-Gamergate world. Then, Imara speaks with games critic Willa Rowe about the evolving landscape of trans storylines and characters, the challenges the industry still faces, and her favorite trans games.

Subscribe to The Mess: Imara’s Guide to Our Political Hellscape on Apple Podcasts.

Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org 

Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook.

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Charlotte A. McGrath: Instagram (@moms_home__) and X (@mc_lotta)

Willa Rowe: Instagram (@thewillarowe), Bluesky (@thewillarowe), X (@thewillarowe)

TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The film Emilia Pérez has been making waves this awards season—but not without controversy. While the musical thriller has received critical acclaim, its casting choices and portrayal of trans identity have sparked heated debate about representation, authenticity, and Hollywood’s track record with trans stories. This week, Imara breaks down the discourse surrounding Emilia Pérez and its road to the Oscars with filmmaker and critic Drew Burnett Gregory. She explains what might have led to Karla Sofía Gascón’s PR nightmare, why Hollywood is fundamentally conservative, and what it takes to make trans representation in film truly interesting. 

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Lauren Snyder: Instagram (@laurensnyderart)

Drew Burnett Gregory: Instagram (@drewburnettgregory) and Bluesky (@drewburnettgregory.bsky.social)

TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of Black History Month, Imara digs into the archives to unearth the incredible stories of two 19th century Black trans women. Archivist and scholar Riah Kinsey discusses what he’s discovered about Mary Jones, a sex worker and pick-pocket who made her way into New York City tabloids throughout the 1830’s. Imara and Riah piece together what we know about her remarkable life and wonder about what else there might be to discover. Then cultural organizer and filmmaker Mickaela Bradford discusses her new short film “Under False Colors.” It tells the story of Frances Thompson, the first known trans woman to testify in front of the U.S. Congress. 

Find a screening of Under False Colors near you here.

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Quinton Reynolds: Instagram (@gamechangingmen) and X (@MenChanging)

Riah L. Kinsey: https://www.rlkinsey.com/

Mickaela Bradford: Instagram (@mickaela007 @underfalsecolors)

TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating what it means to be gay, trans, and in love. Imara talks with couple Arthur Rockwell and Harry Weissman about their relationship and how they navigate this specific intersection of gender and sexuality. Hear from Arthur about how transitioning changed how he dates and challenged his assumptions about who occupies gay male spaces. Harry shares his advice to other cis gay men dating a trans man for the first time. The two also discuss the impact of the political climate on relationships, plus what they’ve learned from loving each other. 

Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash.org 

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Kara Chang: Instagram (@karageous)

Arthur Rockwell: YouTube (@arthur_rockwell) TikTok (@arthur_rockwell)

TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s executive order restricting gender-affirming care for minors is the latest blow in a years-long assault on trans kids. Despite these setbacks, parent advocates aren’t backing down. To kick off the TransLash Podcast's new "Families" mini-series, Imara talks with two mothers of trans kids about their efforts to protect their own families and others around the country. Lizette Trujillo shares what it’s been like to take on the national spotlight, the racial complexities of hiding versus fighting, and what she’s learned from her son Daniel. Then, Imara is joined by Keisha Bell who explains how and why she’s focused her work on supporting the families of Black and trans children. 

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Follow our guests on social media!

Kathie Moehlig: Instagram (@transfamilysos @transyouthliberation)

Lizette Trujillo: Instagram (@zettiegrams) @themamiadvocate) and Bluesky (@lizettetrujillo.bsky.social)

Keisha Bell: https://www.rainbowinblack.org/ 

TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the rise of anti-trans attacks on the federal level, state-level advocacy is becoming even more crucial. This week, Imara talks with leaders working to build safety and belonging for trans people in two very different states. First she’s joined by the Executive Director of One Colorado, Nadine Bridges, who unpacks what it means to be a “shield state” under Trump. The two discuss the role of joy in resistance, the complex political landscape of Colorado, and the impact of changes to corporate DEI policies. Imara then takes a look at South Dakota where community health advocate Jack Fonder has been working under harsh political conditions for years. He shares stories of survival, hope, and the power of creating new spaces for in-person community building.

Content notice: The second conversation in this episoder contains references to suicidal ideation. TransLash gives listeners a heads up before that conversation begins.

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Follow our guests on social media!

Brittan Hardgers: Instagram (@iambrittanhardgers)

Nadine Bridges: Instagram (@onecolorado) X (@One_Colorado)

Jack Fonder: Instagram (@JackFonderSpeaks)

TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a flurry of executive orders, Trump is making good on his promise to go after trans people on day one. This week, Imara takes a look at two of his biggest targets: trans students and military servicemembers. First, she digs into the strategy and impact of Trump’s new military ban with Army veteran Patricia King. The two discuss how this may be part of a broader plan to undercut social and economic mobility for trans people and why it could be detrimental to U.S. military preparedness. Next, she’s joined by the Executive Director of GLSEN Melanie Willingham-Jaggers to talk through how her organization has been preparing for the fight against anti-trans education policy, including new thinking around coalition building and safety. 

Lt. Rae Timberlake's views are their own and are not necessarily reflective of the United States military.

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Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook.

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Rae Timberlake: Instagram (@sparta.pride)

Patricia King: Bluesky (@trixiek.bluesky.social) X (@trisheking) Threads (@trisheking)

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers: Instagram (@GLSEN) TikTok (@glsen_national)

TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

This episode was engineered by Lucy Little.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the second Trump administration about to take power, how can LGBTQ+ advocacy groups continue to advance their nationwide priorities? Imara is joined by Kelley Robinson, Executive of the Human Rights Campaign, who lays out her organization’s plans for the next four years. The two discuss how new coalition building strategies could help disrupt a growing culture of fear and individualism. Kelley also talks about how she remains optimistic in the face of political hostility and why we need liberation for all, not for some. 

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Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook.

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Mar Erazo (Emulsify): Instagram (@emulsify.art)

Kelley Robinson: X (@HRC_President) and Instagram (@hrcpresident) 

TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway. 

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator. 

This episode was engineered by Lucy Little.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.