TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones

Introducing The Anti-Trans Hate Machine: The Destruction of Public Schools

Right 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 coun...

The Department of Homeland Security has quietly rolled back policies that limited surveillance based on gender identity and sexual orientation, raising urgent questions about privacy and government overreach. In this episode, Imara unpacks the history, legal implications, and potential consequences of this shift. First she speaks with legal historian Kate Redburn, who traces the changes in government surveillance of queer communiti...

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 b...

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 ...

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 m...

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 ...

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 oppress...

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 i...

In times like these, we’re all in need of a little extra joy. This week, Imara uncovers some never-before-heard gems from the trans joy archives. With a focus on the incredible artists we’ve highlighted over the years, this special episode is the first in an ongoing “Trans Joy” series. Hear from poets, filmmakers, photographers and more about where they find inspiration, what creativity means to them, and the powerful ways art can ...

Blending queerness, technology, and magic, A.E. Osworth is reshaping what fiction can create. In this episode, Imara sits down with the award-winning novelist to talk about their unique approach to storytelling. They unpack the cultural fallout of GamerGate, how it inspired their debut novel We Are Watching Eliza Bright, and what it reveals about gender, power, and the internet. The conversation also explores A.E.’s fascination wit...

What does it mean to write yourself into the world when the world tries to write you out of it?  First, Imara honors the late Andrea Gibson with a special trans joy segment. Then in an intimate conversation, Imara sits down with poet and multidisciplinary artist Golden to explore the power of trans poetry as a vehicle for kinship building and identity formation. Together, they dig into how Golden’s work weaves together themes ...

At a time when trans stories are under attack and disinformation is spreading fast, the role of trans journalists has never been more vital. In this episode, Imara speaks with Tre’vell Anderson about their new role as co-executive director of the Trans Journalists Association (TJA). Tre’vell reflects on the idea of “activist journalism,” the ways mainstream outlets are failing to accurately report on trans issues, and why hiring ge...

Despite political attacks and threats to our safety, trans people are still living full, complex and beautiful lives in the United States.

In this special episode, Imara introduces TransLash Wire, our new written platform dedicated to original journalism centering trans perspectives from corners of the country that are often overlooked. To celebrate the launch of this new initiative, Imara has a meaningful conversation with Morg...

As attacks on our community continue to escalate, trans-led organizations are facing a double crisis: rising needs and shrinking resources. In this episode, Imara examines the state of funding for queer and trans issues with two insightful interviews. First, Alexander Lee from Funders for LGBTQ  breaks down who’s getting funded – and who’s not – in the current philanthropic landscape. After that, Marin Watts from the Trans Jus...

The Supreme Court has upheld a Tennessee law barring gender-affirming care for minors. This is a devastating blow to trans kids and adults across the country, especially in the 25 states that currently have bans on gender affirming care for young people. To unpack the Court’s decision, Imara spoke with award-winning journalist and “Law Dork” writer Chris Geidner in a conversation TransLash Media livestreamed on YouTube. Chris expla...

As the military ban takes effect, thousands of trans service members have been purged from the forces based solely on their identity. In this episode, Imara speaks with two former officers who have been at the frontlines of this fight. First, Bree Fram shares what it was like to come out and serve as one of the highest ranking, openly trans people in the military. She explains the state of the legal challenges to the ban and why th...

What does it mean to parent outside the boundaries of motherhood or fatherhood? As part of our ongoing Families series, Imara sits down with artist and educator Johnny Blazes to explore the joys and challenges of raising a child as a non-binary parent. Johnny shares their journey of losing their first-born child, being misgendered by other parents, and learning to pick their battles as a gender non-conforming caregiver. They also d...

With sweeping cuts to Medicaid under debate in Congress, access to lifesaving healthcare for millions is on the line. In this episode, Imara explores the potential consequences of Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” with Congresswoman Sarah McBride and labor organizer Ai-jen Poo. Rep. McBride explains how these proposed changes would put millions of people at risk of losing access to healthcare, including a disproportionate number of tra...