Hey there, it's me, I'mara Jones.

Welcome to the TransLash podcast, a show where we tell trans stories to save trans lives.

Well, we're going to nerd out big time today.

That's because today, the day the show drops,

is also the first day of New York Comic-Con, one of the biggest events for sci-fi, comic

and cosplay fans like me, around the world. Now, nerd culture and fandom, with a little bit of

geekdom thrown in also, have always been places of refuge for queer and trans people.

But we no longer have to do so in ways that are hidden or out of sight, or basically not seen people like Elliot Page on Umbrella Academy, to Yasmin Finney's upcoming character on Dr. Hu, to Sheikolay in next year's Iron Heart,

we're seeing more and more trans and non-binary characters, and the actors who play them

move more and more into the heart of sci-fi, comics, and cosplay. I personally myself could go

on and on and on about all the things that I love in this world.

We don't have enough time.

But instead of devoting the episode into all that I would love to talk about, we're going to just dig deep into the wider world of trans nerd culture.

First, we'll speak with Blue Del Barrio, the first out non-binary actor in the Star Trek

franchise. If there had been even one example of someone like me on my screen as a kid, it would

have changed the whole trajectory of my life. Then we'll talk to Stephanie Williams, a comic book

writer who's bringing black trans women into the world of Wonder Woman.

And I just wanted it to just really be a moment where Bea was being welcome into the sisterhood, not being challenged or any of that.

She came as she was or as she is.

But before we get to all that, we know that there are a ton of talented cosplayers out there

who are listing.

And this is the month of Halloween.

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