Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has already won over the hearts of fans and critics alike—no surprise, based on how beloved the previous film was. But some fans have been praising it for an additional reason beyond the incredible animation, acting, and narrative, suggesting that one of the characters is casually coded as trans.
Back when the trailer for the film was released, it didn’t take long for eagle-eyed viewers to spot a “Protect Trans Kids” sign in Gwen Stacy’s (Hailee Steinfeld) bedroom.
\u201cgm to gwen stacy and her protect trans kids poster only\u201d— a (@a) 1685868116
That very easy could have been (and could be) a simple show of support, but the movie itself went on to drop more hints that Gwen herself might be trans. One shot of her father’s police uniform made it look as though it sported a trans flag. (A later shot suggested these were medals, but that doesn’t change how they were animated before.)
And plenty of people pointed out that the trans flag colors of pink, blue, and white were frequently used throughout Gwen’s world.
\u201c@Moshy_Maybe Adding on:\nThis color palette specifically when she\u2019s talking about how everyone around her can only know \u201chalf of who she is\u201d and that she\u2019s scared what people might do when they find out her secret.\u201d— Punished \u201cGraduate\u201d Moshy (@Punished \u201cGraduate\u201d Moshy) 1685922197
\u201cNo cop on the planet is wearing a trans flag on his uniform unless his kid is trans. Be fucking for real.\u201d— Ember \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@Ember \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1685811659
\u201cTO HER COP DAD WHO PUT A HANDMADE TRANS FLAG PATCH ABOVE HIS BADGE\n\nTHAT GIRL IS TRANS AS HELL\u201d— GROVEL, HUMANS! It's ZOE!!! (@GROVEL, HUMANS! It's ZOE!!!) 1685936159
Superheroes have long resonated with the LGBTQ+ community, thanks to their stories almost intrinsically being linked with the ideas of having a secret identity hidden from most of the world and being different from other people in a way society fears—which actually only makes it more egregious that superhero movies have been so notably slow to include LGBTQ+ characters.
But Across the Spider-Verse really doubles down on these themes surrounding Gwen’s story, resonating strongly with trans fans in particular, regardless of whether she, herself, is ultimately trans.
And the bigots are already coming out in full force to push back against the narrative that she might be, despite nobody demanding that the movies confirm it one way or another. But whether this single Gwen Stacy in the larger multiverse is purposely coded as trans or simply reads that way to people who relate to her story, considering it as an option doesn’t harm anyone. But it does give trans kids and trans adults alike an incredible character to hold onto.
\u201cTrans (and even cis) fans have every right to say Gwen Stacy is trans, even if the movies never outright confirm it. You can\u2019t deny that it\u2019s been hinted at.\n\nThe fact is\u2014 if she can make somebody feel represented, who are you to tell them they\u2019re wrong?\u201d— The Green Kasey (@The Green Kasey) 1685931325
\u201cOf all the fcking character you could cry about "twisting their canon is disrespectful for their creators" or whatever bullshit, you took the one who was created out of twisting the fcking canon\u201d— Lirhya \ud83c\udf08 Gammartist \ud83e\udd8e (@Lirhya \ud83c\udf08 Gammartist \ud83e\udd8e) 1686004743
\u201cthinking about Trans Gwen Stacy and her entire plot being about centered around her father's struggle to believe her and accept her identity \ud83e\udd7a\u201d— tori !! (@tori !!) 1685795506
\u201cFor the "these are just her costume colors" folks\n\nA) the hair is a very specific deal\n\nB) black is also in her costume, actually the most prominent color, and completely absent from the lightning and background. They ONLY used pink, white and blue. It's an intentional call.\u201d— GROVEL, HUMANS! It's ZOE!!! (@GROVEL, HUMANS! It's ZOE!!!) 1685938505
\u201cGwen Stacy says trans right \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\u201d— Spooky\ud83d\udd1cYeticon A66 (@Spooky\ud83d\udd1cYeticon A66) 1686009514
