TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones

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 th...

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...

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 o...

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...

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 j...

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 ec...

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. Kelle...

Laughter is key to survival. This week, Imara talks to two of the funniest trans people out there about the power of comedy in good times and bad. First, she sits down with comedy writer Ally Beardsley about transitioning in the public eye, Dungeons and Dragons, and learning when to get serious. The two also laugh about the absurdity of Republican politics and Ally’s own conservative background. N...

As the TransLash Podcast takes a break for the holidays, we’re sharing some of our favorite episodes from the archive. In this replay from 2023, Imara is joined by legendary trans activist and Stonewall veteran Miss Major. She shares her experience becoming a mother, gives advice to young trans people today, and explains why the fight for our rights will always be stronger than anti-trans policies...

As the TransLash Podcast takes a break for the holidays, we’re sharing some of our favorite episodes from the archive. In this replay from 2022, Imara has an eye opening conversation with the one and only Janelle Monaé, an 8-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and one of the most celebrated voices of our time. In the interview, Janelle opens up about the challenges of explor...

As the TransLash Podcast takes a break for the holidays, we’re sharing some of our favorite episodes from the archive. In this replay from 2022, Imara discusses how the idea of Black civil rights has been reduced to the idea of changes in specific laws, but the civil rights movement also included the ideas of what we now call Black liberation: a specific revisioning of what our society should look...

Trump has promised to target trans rights on his first day back in office. While it remains to be seen what exactly he’ll do, there are several ways trans individuals can start preparing. Imara welcomes Dr. Asa Radix back on the show to walk through the potential threats to gender-affirming care, including changes to federal funding and protections under the Affordable Care Act. They share their a...

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the landmark case of U.S. v. Skrmetti, which takes up the question of gender affirming care access for youth. After attending the oral arguments herself, Imara dissects what she heard in the chambers. First, she sits down with lawyer and co-chair of the National Trans Bar Association D Dangaran to get their immediate reaction and analysis. D explains the debate...

What can Kamala Harris’ defeat tell us about American attitudes towards Black women and other marginalized genders? This week, Imara is joined by Jamilah King, an editorial director at Mother Jones, to answer this question from a political and personal perspective. The two discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic, rage, and misogyny might have contributed to the election outcome. Jamilah shares her insig...

The Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case that will fundamentally reshape gender affirming care access across the United States. Imara breaks down the stakes of this legal battle with Chase Strangio, the ACLU attorney who will be arguing on behalf of trans youth and their families. The two discuss the Tennessee law and plaintiffs at the heart of the case, how the...

In the wake of Trump’s stunning victory, Imara grapples with the stakes of this outcome for trans people across the United States. She’s joined by award-winning journalist Katelyn Burns to unpack the Democratic Party failing to counter the GOP’s anti-trans messaging, the election of trans candidates like Sarah McBride, and why trans rights might be first on the chopping block after Trump’s inaugur...

In the last few days of the 2024 presidential campaign, Imara breaks down the ways that trans issues have taken center stage this election season. She’s joined by journalist and Them.us contributing writer Samantha Riedel to dissect Trump’s escalating rhetoric, from his “Kamala for they/them” ad to the fusion of anti-immigrant and anti-trans messaging. The two also chat about why Harris has been s...

In Episode 3 of the Anti-Trans Hate Machine, Imara Jones explores how paramilitary groups like Patriot Front are modernizing and intensifying their anti-LGBTQ tactics. Working in tandem with local politicians, right-wing think tanks, and influential online actors like Libs of Tik-Tok, these groups are radicalizing American politics from the ground up, weaponizing transphobia to destabilize local c...

In Episode 2 of the Anti-Trans Hate Machine, Imara Jones explores how paramilitary groups like Patriot Front are modernizing and intensifying their anti-LGBTQ tactics. Working in tandem with local politicians, right-wing think tanks, and influential online actors like Libs of Tik-Tok, these groups are radicalizing American politics from the ground up, weaponizing transphobia to destabilize local c...

In Episode 1 of a new season of the Anti-Trans Hate Machine, discover how far-right militias have shifted their focus from assaulting the U.S. Capitol to targeting drag shows and LGBTQ events. As host Imara Jones examines this troubling pivot, find out how right-wing paramilitary groups like the Proud Boys are intertwined with Republican politicians and how anti-trans hate serves as a powerful too...

With less than two weeks until Election Day, Imara breaks down the latest election news with White House Correspondent and POLITICO reporter Eugene Daniels. They explore how the Trump team is already sowing doubt about the election outcome, why they’re investing millions in anti-trans ads, and the Harris’ campaign’s concerns about the Arab American vote in Michigan. The pair also discuss what Euge...

Sarah McBride broke barriers when she became the first openly trans state senator in the country in 2021. Now, she’s looking to make history again as the first out trans person elected to Congress. On today’s episode, Imara welcomes Sarah back on the show to talk about her expected win in November. The two discuss her time serving Delaware's First State Senate District, how she’s planning to stay...

Project 2025 has become a surprising focal point of the U.S. presidential race. But who exactly is behind it, and why are they targeting trans rights? To help break down this radical plan for reshaping American life, Imara talks with two experts who have been tracking the policy and politics of Project 2025. First, she’s joined by ProPublica investigative reporter Andy Kroll who explains what the...

As we near the one year anniversary of October 7th, Imara reflects on how the war in Gaza has impacted election politics in the United States. First, she’s joined by a spokesperson for the Uncommitted National Movement, June Rose, who shares their experience as an uncommitted DNC delegate, how their Jewish identity shapes their commitment to Palestinian liberation, and what they’re demanding of th...

In this gripping season of the Anti-Trans Hate Machine, host Imara Jones examines the disturbing links between the rise of political violence in America, far-right paramilitary groups, and anti-trans hate. Join us as we show how far-right militias, by redirecting their focus after the January 6 insurrection to attacking drag shows and LGBTQ events, are seeking to destabilize communities from the g...