Fandom backlash after Star Wars introduces transgender stormtrooper

Star Wars fans react to transgender stormtrooper Sister’s return in ‘Star Wars: The Secrets of the Clone Troopers.’

The inclusion of a transgender character in the latest 'Star Wars' project has ignited mixed reactions from the fanbase. 

The new book, 'Star Wars: The Secrets of the Clone Troopers,' introduced readers to Sister, a Stormtrooper who "expressed her gender identity differently than her fellow troopers." Sister's character description quickly spread on social media, where reactions were divided.

THE SECRETS OF THE CLONE TROOPERS includes a first look at Sister, a trans woman clone trooper 🏳️‍⚧️

Rex’s description of Sister in the book reads: “When one of our kind expressed her gender identity differently than her fellow troopers, she featured she’d have to hide who she… pic.twitter.com/AaL6g2urtu

— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) October 9, 2024

Many fans expressed outrage, with some suggesting that the character's image looked artificially created, while others accused the franchise of becoming "woke." Despite the backlash, Sister is not a new character—she made her first appearance in the 2022 book 'Queen's Hope,' fighting alongside Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Clone Wars.

While some fans are upset, others have embraced Sister's inclusion, praising both her character design and the growing diversity within the 'Star Wars' universe. Supporters have celebrated the franchise's move towards inclusivity, even though parts of the fanbase are known for their toxic reactions to change.

Sister’s return in the 'Star Wars' canon highlights the ongoing conversation surrounding representation in media and its impact on passionate fan communities.