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How the transgender community found a safe haven on Discord

'We view gender as a sledgehammer, but it's actually a butterfly.'

 

Matt Silverman

 

chris boylan

IRL

Posted on Jan 7, 2019   Updated on May 20, 2021, 10:06 pm CDT

Has the internet made things easier for the transgender community? That may depend on which corners of the web you hang out in.

For trans woman Luna Baker, a variety of digital havens for trans people came and went: Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Facebook groups, etc. Harassment and bullying followed in all of them.

She finally arrived at Discord, where strict permissions and moderation carved out a place where members of the trans community could talk about anything, free from the pressures of typical online discussion.

This week on 2 Girls 1 Podcast, Alli and Jen (actors who perform weird internet stuff on stage) talk with Baker about her transition, the trans community online, portrayals of trans people in media, and the complicated laws and norms that can hinder trans people from seeking medical treatment for transitions.

Listen to episode 65 of #2G1P right here:

If you’re a member of the trans community, and interested in joining the private Discord, you can respond to Luna’s tweet below to discuss access:

Tweet designated for later use.

Leave a hello and I’ll DM you! This is purposely vague to avoid issues!#ITApp

— Luna Baxter 👁️ (@NOYZBOT) November 20, 2018

This week’s episode is supported by Penguin Random House Audio, which publishes thousands of award-winning audiobooks every year, including some great holiday suggestions like Harry Potter, Crazy Rich Asians, and fun listens by your favorite comedians. Download Penguin Random House Audiobooks wherever you listen to your favorite audiobooks (Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.) or check out this page to browse the latest selections.

2 Girls 1 Podcast is also supported by listeners. A lot of time and resources go into research, booking, editing, and publishing this show. If you love internet culture as much as we love ’casting about it, consider a contribution of $1 or $2 per month to help offset our production costs. Become a patron of #2G1P and earn some cool perks while you’re at it:

Become a Patron!

Subscribe to 2 Girls 1 Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts and get new episodes one week early on the free TuneIn app!

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We’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoy this podcast, consider sharing it with a friend or two, and use the hashtag #2G1P. We’ll be watching!

2 Girls 1 Podcast is hosted by Allison Goldberg and Jennifer Jamula, and is produced and edited by Matt Silverman in New York City. Production assistance is provided by The Podglomerate.

Want to hear more from the Daily Dot? Check out the Upstream Podcast, tackling the week in streaming entertainment, and We’re All Gonna Die, our weekly politics roundtable.

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*First Published: Jan 7, 2019, 6:30 am CST