A Star Wars E book Has Bigots Livid About A Trans Clone Trooper

“Star Wars: The Secrets and techniques of the Clone Troopers” is a brand new ebook from Perception Editions that got here out on October eighth, 2024. Written by Mark Sumerak, it is an in-universe lore ebook for all ages that dives into the historical past of the clones of the late bounty hunter Jango Fett, which served by the Clone Wars and past. The ebook covers everybody from Jango himself and the extra well-known clones like Captain Rex and the Unhealthy Batch all the best way to lesser-known clones like Jessie, Wolff, and Gregor. The truth is, one clone specifically is presently inflicting controversy amongst close-minded bigots, and it is naturally for all of the fallacious causes.

The ebook itself is written from the angle of Captain Rex, who speaks of her fondly prior to now tense with respect and fondness for her braveness, each as a soldier and as somebody who felt the braveness to be who they really have been. The ebook is alleged to be printed, in-universe, someday after the occasions of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” and it is framed as Rex’s memoir of his brothers and sisters who have been clones of Jango Fett, and that features the primary trans Clone Trooper amongst them.

Sister is the primary trans clone launched within the “Star Wars” mythos. First launched in 2022 within the novel “Star Wars: Queen’s Hope” (which we wrote about positively right here on the time), Sister was a clone of Jango Fett who didn’t really feel comfy within the male clone physique and felt extra comfy as a girl. Her brothers embraced her wholeheartedly as she offered as a girl and that earned her the nickname Sister. She served within the seventh Sky Corps and led missions. 

On an early mission, Sister encountered Anakin Skywalker as a Padawan and had a dialogue with him the place she defined her early fears about not being accepted by the Jedi, however Anakin assured her the Jedi have been all about transcending issues, so who have been they to complain if she transcended gender? It turned an attention-grabbing philosophical level for the entire characters concerned, and she or he was praised on the time as a superb place to incorporate illustration of this sort in “Star Wars.”

Sister additionally appeared in creator Mike Chen’s novel “Star Wars: Brotherhood” and “The Secrets and techniques of the Clone Troopers” really marks her third look in a canon “Star Wars” novel. Nevertheless, it is the primary the place she seems in official artwork. The unique artwork that accompanied her first look was a fan piece personally commissioned by her creator, E.Ok. Johnston herself.

Sister wasn’t the solely feminine clone both. There have been positively others. Naturally, the Unhealthy Batch’s Omega was a feminine clone as nicely. So was Emerie Karr, a scientist engaged on Operation Necromancer. There may have been extra, as nicely, whether or not they have been cis or trans. There have been thousands and thousands of clones, and we have solely had tales a few handful.

Two years have passed by since Sister’s introduction, and the same old gang of bigots have hardly observed the inclusion of a trans clone trooper within the canon, largely as a result of they most likely aren’t really “Star Wars” followers and do not sustain with the lore. However now that this new ebook has come out, they’re livid. However why?

Effectively, the primary has to do with the truth that this ebook is being marketed for teenagers of all ages. They’re below the misunderstanding that the inclusion of trans people, particularly the constructive acceptance of trans people, is inappropriate for teenagers of any age, as a result of being trans is someway inherently tied to intercourse acts, despite the fact that gender identification and expression don’t have anything to do with intercourse.

That flies within the face of any cheap studying of the state of affairs, the place youngsters of all ages ought to be proven acceptance of individuals of all walks of life and gender identities, just because that is an excellent human factor to do. The rejection and disgust displayed on the mere point out of a trans clone in “Star Wars” can also be unhealthy conduct to mannequin for teenagers. What occurs when considered one of these bigots’ youngsters seems to be trans, and the child remembers this foolish stance a few trans clone? They will not really feel secure, they usually’ll concern that their household will not shield them or love them due to this. That is why the suicide fee amongst trans people is so excessive. Being welcoming helps to reverse that actuality.

In the meantime, others nonetheless assume that is some type of “grooming” youngsters. There was a weird tactic amongst a few of these bigots to accuse anybody who helps trans rights of being youngster groomers. Moreover, some consider anybody having the temerity of getting youngsters who’re trans can also be youngster abuse. It does not make any sense, however then once more, neither does bigotry. It is such a bizarre stance to take, although sadly, it is not surprising. It additionally does not adhere to actuality, nevertheless it’s essential to know it is on the market so we will keep away from these people at greatest, and snigger at them at worst.

One other foolish level being posited is that that is someway compelled range. Since Jango Fett was a person, he could not probably have had a clone that was trans. However that additionally flies within the face of the canon constructed across the clones.

“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” did a really fascinating factor with the clones of Jango Fett. It gave all of them individuality and character. It made us harm after they had their inhibitor chips turned on in “Revenge of the Sith” and turned on their Jedi pals. However that did not take away from their individuality coming by. Each clone deserted the quantity they have been born with in favor of a nickname. Each clone had a unique approach of doing their hair. Some had tattoos. All of them had completely different quirks, accents, catchphrases, issues they appreciated and did not like. All of them had completely different consciouses and souls. They have been all very completely different. 

A lot of this got here from the encouragement of the Jedi. Grasp Yoda introduced this to the entrance of the collection within the very first episode that aired, “Ambush”. He sat the clones in his command down and defined that they need to embrace that individuality. By means of different clones, we noticed that they have been all completely different, and the Kaminoans have been continually making an attempt to tamper with the genes, and on high of that something may occur within the cloning canisters. With as many clones as there have been, it is really fairly shocking there weren’t extra trans clones, so the inclusion of Sister really corrects what I see as an error.

However maybe essentially the most fascinating a part of the clones, in distinction to stormtroopers, is that stormtroopers begin as people. They are often males or ladies, it does not matter. The Empire really stamps out that individuality. As an alternative of their very own names that they have been born with, they get a quantity. They’re faceless numbers in a machine that chews them up and spits them out. This removing of identification comes from their publicity to the darkish aspect, and its reverse of the beliefs of the Jedi.

Possibly it is no marvel that so most of the social media accounts upset about this are a phrase and a random string of numbers (or pathetic blue test marks), and so most of the individuals defending Sister are distinctive people. Just a few meals for thought.

“Star Wars: The Secrets and techniques of the Clone Troopers” is out now.