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 insights about whether Harris really wanted to be president and how her 2024 campaign might have been jus...
Nov 21, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 119
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 Court’s ruling could limit 14th amendment protections, and what trans people can do to make their vo...
Nov 14, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 118
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 inauguration. Together, they imagine how we can reorient the fight for gender affirming care access in a ho...
Nov 07, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 117
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 so cautious on trans issues and how Samantha is preparing for the election outcome by staying rooted ...
Oct 31, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 116
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 communities. In this episode we’ll show how these dangerous synergies are spreading and learn about h...
Oct 27, 2024•53 min
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 communities. In this episode we’ll show how these dangerous synergies are spreading and learn about h...
Oct 26, 2024•47 min
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 tool for their broader agenda of organized political violence and upheaval. Join us as we uncover the u...
Oct 25, 2024•50 min
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 Eugene’s been hearing from the campaigns about their internal polling numbers and strategies they’re usi...
Oct 24, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 115
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 focused on her policy priorities amidst escalating transphobic rhetoric in Congress, and what she le...
Oct 17, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 114
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 Heritage Foundation is, how they’re training a new generation of party loyalists, and why this could...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 113
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 the Democratic Party. Next, she’ll talk with trans disability advocate and candidate for Maryland Hous...
Oct 03, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 112
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 ground up. We’ll uncover how these extremist groups, in tandem with Republican politicians at all lev...
Oct 01, 2024•3 min
As the countdown to Election Day continues, the stress and uncertainty of U.S. politics can impact our wellbeing in some major ways. So how do we manage our own mental health and support others until November 5 and beyond? Imara asks two mental health professionals about their favorite strategies and frameworks for building emotional resilience and networks of care. First, she’s joined by clinician and researcher Dr. Sebastian Mitchell Barr, who shares how he applies a feminist model of post tra...
Sep 26, 2024•50 min•Season 4Ep. 111
As attacks on trans people continue to escalate across the country, standing up for our rights is more important than ever. This week, 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 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 motiva...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 110
Over the past couple of years, Republicans in Texas and Florida have pursued a devastating new line of attack against trans youth: separating them from their supportive parents. In this episode replay from last spring, Imara discusses the politics and consequences of these family separation efforts with two people working on the frontlines. First, she’s joined by former Texas Child Protective Services employee Morgan Hardee Davis, who shares his harrowing experience of being forced to investigat...
Aug 29, 2024•53 min•Season 4Ep. 109
It’s the final day of the Democratic National Convention, and Imara has been on the ground in Chicago reporting on this historic event. As Kamala Harris accepts the party’s nomination, Imara takes a close look at what we’ve learned about her campaign this week. She’s joined by Chief Correspondent for MSNBC, Ali Velshi, who breaks down Kamala Harris’ political journey, Donald Trump’s failing attacks on her candidacy, and the impact of Gaza protests on the convention. To catch up on all of our DNC...
Aug 22, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 108
After an unprecedented shake up in the presidential race, the Democratic National Convention begins today in Chicago. To kick off TransLash Media’s on-the-ground, daily coverage of this historic occasion, we’re sharing an episode of our premium, political show The Mess: Imara’s Guide to Our Political Hellscape. It features an insightful conversation between Imara and senior national reporter for the Advocate, Christopher Wiggins, about Vice President Kamala Harris and what to expect at this week...
Aug 19, 2024•19 min
Imara takes a look at the joys and complications of travel for the trans community in this fan favorite episode from last summer. First, she’s joined by Nala Touissant, founder of Reuniting of African Descendants (ROAD), who discusses her work facilitating healing and connection between trans and queer people across the African Diaspora, and the magic of cross-border cultural exchange. Then Imara is interviewed by Gender Reveal's Tuck Woodstock, where the two discuss traveling internationally wh...
Aug 15, 2024•53 min•Season 4Ep. 107
The 2024 elections are only three months away, and turning up at the polls is critical. But the complex landscape of voter ID laws across the U.S. can make voting a challenge. This week, Imara takes a look at the proliferation of these laws, and the potential disenfranchisement of trans voters whose name, gender markers, and appearance may not match voter registration records. First, she talks with NBC Out reporter Jo Yurcaba about the barriers to updating government IDs across different states ...
Aug 01, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 106
With the Republican National Convention underway, Imara takes a closer look at the rise of Christian Zionist ideas within the G.O.P. First, she’s joined by writer Aidan Orly who unpacks the biblical and political origins of Christian Zionism. They explain how and why Israeli politicians are allying with conservative Christian Zionists in the United States despite the movement’s deep antisemitism. Next, she talks with Natasha Roth-Rowland about the evolution of far right politics in Israel throug...
Jul 18, 2024•51 min•Season 4Ep. 105
Cities are often seen as the epicenter of trans culture and activism. But there are trans people living in rural communities across the United States whose unique perspectives are overlooked. This week, Imara takes a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of trans rural life. First, she’s joined by community educator and advocate, Ray Holloman, who shares why he decided to move to rural Tennessee, the ways his Blackness is more visible than his transness, and how he weighs the risks of ...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 104
Black trans people are among the most marginalized of marginalized Americans. But those closest to the nation’s most pressing problems are often able to craft innovative solutions. The short film “American Problems, Trans Solutions” follows award-winning journalist Imara Jones as she travels across the country to tell the stories of three Black trans leaders on the frontlines of change: housing advocate Kayla Gore; Breonna McCree, a champion for economic empowerment; and Oluchi Omeoga, who fight...
Jun 24, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 103
What’s so funny about masculinity? This week, Imara talks with actor, writer, and stand up comedian River Butcher about the beauty and absurdity of being a man. They discuss being affirmed by butt slaps on the baseball field, the nonlinear nature of liberation, and just how far masculinity has expanded over the last few decades. River also gives an inside peek into his complicated relationship with they/them pronouns in queer spaces and Hollywood audition rooms. Make sure to check out TransLash ...
Jun 20, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 102
Happy Pride Month! This week, Imara celebrates the process of gender exploration beyond rigid binaries and limitations. First, she’s joined by Eli Lawliet, also known as “The Gender Doula,” to talk about how he guides his clients through questioning and transitioning. He discusses the lessons he’s learned about gender presentation from his pet snakes and why he thinks identity labels can hinder exploration. Next, Frankie de la Cretaz returns to the show to chat about being a transmasc mom, exper...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 101
To kickoff off Pride Month, Imara shares her recent conversations about everything love and relationships on the podcast Bad Queers . She returns to the show after four years to talk with hosts Shana and Kris about everything she’s been up to, including being named one of Time Mag’s 100 Most Influential People in 2023. Other topics include the current dating scene in New York, where Imara meets people, red and green flags, dating studs and MOCs, her blind spots, harmful stereotypes of trans wome...
Jun 01, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 100
Trans people have been making and starring in films for decades. But transmasculine representation hasn’t always been given the attention it deserves. In this episode, Imara dives into the complicated history and exciting future of transmasc filmmaking. First, she’s joined by artist and filmmaker Angelo Madsen Minax to talk about his award-winning documentary “North by Current” and the challenges of telling personal stories. Next, she chats with film critic and researcher Caden Mark Gardner abou...
May 23, 2024•53 min•Season 4Ep. 99
As political attacks on trans athletes escalate, trans powerlifters are continuing to push their sport forward. In this episode, Imara talks with two competitive powerlifters who are breaking records and fighting for their right to compete. First, she’s joined by two-time national champion, JayCee Cooper, who outlines her years-long legal battle with USA Powerlifting over her experience of discrimination by the organization. Next she talks with the World’s Strongest Trans Man, Scott Percy, about...
May 09, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 98
What do the struggles for environmental justice and trans liberation have in common? In this Earth Day episode, Imara examines the shared goals and strategies of these two movements. First, she talks with educator and storyteller Vanessa Raditz about the inherent queerness of nature and the philosophy underlying conservative attacks on trans rights and climate action. Next, she’s joined by organizer and artist, Big Wind Carpenter, who shares what they learned while protesting environmental racis...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 97
In celebration of Autism Acceptance Month, Imara learns more about the politics and lived experiences of being autistic and trans. She’s joined by influential social psychologist and author of the books “Unmasking Autism” and “Unlearning Shame,” Devon Price. During their wide-ranging conversation, the two dive into the complexity around defining what autism is, how the far right exploits stigma around autism against trans people, and the intricacies of self-diagnosis. Don’t forget to vote for th...
Apr 11, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 96
In the wake of Nex Benedict’s tragic death, Imara examines the escalating hostility and political attacks on trans kids in Oklahoma. First, she speaks with Oklahoma State Representative Jacob Rosecrants about keeping his trans son out of the spotlight, learning from non-binary state representative Mauree Turner, and what he’s hearing from his conservative colleagues behind closed doors. Next, Imara’s joined by Oklahoma State University researcher and advocate, Amy McGehee, to discuss what famili...
Mar 28, 2024•53 min•Season 4Ep. 95
