The inclusion of Sister, thew first transgender stormtrooper, in Star Wars: The Secrets of the Clone Troopers has stirred debate.
Sister, whose armor is designed with trans flag colors, symbolizes belonging within her troop. First introduced in Queen’s Hope (2022), she meets Anakin Skywalker, who embraces her identity by saying, “The Jedi are all about transcending things… I don’t think we can complain if you’ve transcended gender.”
Many fans celebrated Sister’s inclusion, with one X user noting how important representation is: “Now they have representation… more representation is better.” Another added humor, saying, “Y’all believe in space magic and cloning, but draw the line at someone changing genders?”
However, critics lashed out, labeling the character’s inclusion as “virtue-signaling” and pandering to “the gender cult.” Despite these responses, Star Wars has been expanding LGBTQ+ representation in its universe for years, with the introduction of trans and non-binary Jedi characters like Terec and Ceret in 2021. The Star Wars Instagram account reaffirmed this direction, stating they “support trans lives” and are committed to broader representation.
The addition of Sister continues Star Wars‘ legacy of inclusivity, drawing mixed reactions but also highlighting the importance of diverse characters in mainstream media. Fans remain divided, but Sister’s presence marks a significant step in increasing visibility for LGBT+ characters in the galaxy far, far away.