Trans People Train for Self Defense

About this episode

The episode discusses how trans people are taking their safety into their own hands through self-defense training.

From Martial arts to gun clubs, trans people are taking their personal safety into their own hands. This week, Imara is joined by two guests to help think through personal safety for trans people and what preparing for self defense can actually look like in an era when faith in law enforcement organizations—always precarious for the trans community—has reached new lows. First, Imara speaks with Fin Smith, also known as the Queer Armorer online. They are the founder of Rainbow Reload, a queer and trans centered gun club in New Hampshire. Then, Imara chats with Abigail Austin, a Thai boxing coach and founder of Red Panda Muay Thai in Seattle, Washington.  This week’s Trans Joy features a trans owned tattoo shop in Minneapolis. Shop owner M Nijiya shares more about their community fundraiser that helped to support local mutual aid groups.  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…

People in this episode

Host: Imara Jones

Guests: Fin Smith, Abigail Austin

Topics covered

• self defense
• trans safety
• martial arts
• gun clubs
• community support
• trans joy

Keywords

• trans people
• self defense
• martial arts
• gun clubs
• community fundraiser
• trans joy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rainbow Reload, Red Panda Muay Thai

Places: New Hampshire, Seattle, Washington, Minneapolis

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• The Twinks vs. Dolls Olympics · May 28, 2026 · 47 min
• Resourcing Trans Dreams · May 21, 2026 · 49 min
• Trans Art Under Attack · May 14, 2026 · 57 min
• Rep. Leigh Finke Is Fighting from the Inside · May 7, 2026 · 33 min