TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones

Some stories of transformation are so powerful they transcend time and place. In this episode, Imara talks with Brazilian actress, writer, and producer Darwin Del Fabro about her career and new solo play Lili/Darwin. The one-woman show intertwines her own journey with that of Lili Elbe, one of the first people to undergo gender confirmation surgery. Darwin reflects on the similarities between Brazil and the U.S. when it comes to trans visibility and violence, why she waited to begin her transition until after establishing her acting career, and the importance of bringing stories like Lili Elbe’s to life on stage. Vote for TransLash in the Signal Awards for best LGBTQ+ show, LGBTQ+ individual episode, LGBTQ limited series, Thought Leadership individual episode and Activism, Public Service & Social Impact limited series.Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guest on social media: Colby Lamson-Gordon: Instagram (@colbylg)Darwin Del Fabro: Instagram (@darwindelfabro)TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.The Translash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. Lucy Little did the sound editing and engineering for this episode.Theme music composed by Ben Draghi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing The Anti-Trans Hate Machine: The Destruction of Public SchoolsRight wing forces have taken aim at trans kids in schools, relentlessly targeting some of our country’s most vulnerable youth. In this season, journalist and host Imara Jones investigates this movement, uncovering how these attacks are part of a larger plan to dismantle public education and shatter democracy itself. Join her as she travels across the country to expose the inner workings of this powerful effort uniting Christian Nationalists, conspiracy theorists, extremist paramilitary organizations, conservative business groups, and billionaires in an revelatory investigation exposing what’s really behind the onslaught of anti-trans hate in public schools. Season 4 of the Anti-Trans Hate Machine premieres October 14.Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on Instagram, Threads,  X, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on X (@ImaraJones) and Instagram (@Imara_jones_)The Anti-Trans Hate Machine is produced by TransLash Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Queer and trans media publications are fighting to survive, adapt, and carve out new spaces for our stories to be told. In this episode, Imara sits down with Fran Tirado, the new Editor-in-Chief of Them. Fran reflects on her vision for Conde Naste’s LGBTQ+ publication, how queer stories are a guide to getting free, and her affinity for Ugly Betty. Fran also opens up about objectivity, the one and only Anna Wintour, and the importance of telling fun stories about queer life in even the darkest moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this discussion, legal historian Kate Redburn, a Columbia Law School associate professor, delves into the troubling history of government surveillance on queer communities, highlighting changes since World War II. René Kladzyk, a senior investigator at the Project on Government Oversight, follows up by revealing how recent rollbacks by the Department of Homeland Security are tightening surveillance on LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants. They both explore the chilling effects of these policies on privacy and community safety.

Music has always carried the stories of trans lives, yet so much of that history is at risk of being lost. In this episode, Imara speaks with the co-founders of the Trans Music Archive, Ariel Loh and Rowan McDonald, about their groundbreaking endeavor to preserve and celebrate music made by trans artists. Ariel and Rowan share the fateful moment that inspired them to launch the project and why they chose to use vinyl pressings to build the archive in an era of digital streaming. They also dig into the complexities of working with major cultural institutions in this political moment and their decision to remain independent. Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guest on social media: CENSORED Dialogue: Instagram (@censoredialogue)The Trans Music Archive: (@transmusicarchive)TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.The Translash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. Lucy Little did the sound editing and engineering for this episode.Theme music composed by Ben Draghi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across the United States, anti-trans laws and rising hostility have forced some families into a heartwrenching decision: leaving their homes behind to keep their children safe. In the newest episode of our ongoing “Families” series, Imara speaks with parents and advocates Lizette and Jose Trujillo about their journey relocating outside the country with their trans son. They share the grief and hope of starting over, the challenges of leaving family and community behind in Arizona, and how they knew when it was time to go.Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guest on social media: Lizette Trujillo: Instagram (@themamiadvocate)TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.The Translash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. Lucy Little did the sound editing and engineering for this episode.Theme music composed by Ben Draghi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As attacks on trans people continue to escalate across the country, standing up for our rights is more important than ever. In this replay, Imara talks with two people who are fighting back in two states with some of the harshest anti-trans laws. First, she’s joined by the Executive Director of The Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), Emmett Schelling, who discusses the importance of solidarity with other social justice movements, the challenges of organizing in Texas, and what keeps him motivated to continue the fight. Next, Imara interviews high school math teacher Katie Wood about why she sued the Florida Department of Education and her perspective on the ethical obligation to stand up for what’s right. Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org. Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guests on social media!Emmett Schelling: X (@transtexas) and Instagram (@transtexas)TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.The Translash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. This episode was sound engineered with help from Lucy Little and Alyssa Midcalf. Theme music composed by Ben Draghi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of what would have been Marsha P. Johnson’s 80th birthday, we’re replaying this conversation with Tourmaline about her book “Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson.” In it, she shares what it took to piece together Marsha’s story, from her early life in Times Square to her radical visions of freedom, spirituality, and care. She also unpacks Marsha’s expansive political imagination, her collaboration with groups like the Black Panthers, and why telling the full truth about her legacy matters more than ever in the face of right-wing historical revisionism. Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guests on social media:Caro de Robertis: Instagram (@caro_derobertis)Tourmaline: Instagram (@tourmaliiine)TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.The Translash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. Xander Adams engineered the original episode, and Lucy Little engineered this replay.Theme music composed by Ben Draghi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode replay, Imara is joined by two leading trans scholars to discuss our community’s history and future. First, she talks with historian Dr. Susan Stryker about the last century of trans life and activism in the United States. They discuss why Compton’s Cafeteria Riot has been overlooked in the story of trans history, how to make sense of today’s reactionary politics, and what we can learn from past survivors of oppression. Next, Imara chats with cultural theorist Dr. C. Riley Snorton, who dives into the racialized history of transness. He explains how enslaved people were experimented on by medical researchers and used to determine ideals about gender. Dr. Snorton also shares his work to document a Black, radical tradition. Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guests on social media!Louisiana Trans Oral History Project: https://www.louisianatransoralhistory.org/ Susan Stryker: Bluesky (‪@susanstryker.bsky.social‬)C. Riley Snorton: Instagram (@crileysnorton) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Online harassment against trans people has become increasingly violent and sophisticated over the last few years. In this episode replay, Imara traces the emergence of coordinated attacks against people like streamer Clara Santorini, aka Keffals. First, she discusses Kiwi Farms, “Libs of TikTok,” and the other malicious actors with Harvard Cyberlaw Clinic instructor Alejandra Caraballo. She then speaks with the lead cybersecurity instructor at Tech Learning Collective about how we can better protect ourselves online and in our private digital communication. Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)Follow our guests on social media!Alejandra Caraballo: Bluesky (@esqueer.net‬)Tech Learning Collective: https://techlearningcollective.com TransTech: X (@TransTechSocial)TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.The Translash team includes Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway, Hillary Esquina, and Morgan Astbury. Xander Adams engineered the original episode, and Lucy Little engineered this replay.Theme music composed by Ben Draghi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.