Trans Joy – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I travelled to the Netherlands to meet Niek, a incredible drag king, and a wonderful human being. From navigating the country’s evolving legal framework for trans rights to finding joy in self-expression and community, Niek shares his journey with honesty and vulnerability.

Tune in to hear Niek’s story and learn about the Netherlands’ historical and political context that shapes trans people’s experiences in this country.

Follow Niek’s incredible work as a drag king on Instagram: @Niek.lefreak

Stay updated on the podcast: @transjoypodcast

Learn more about trans rights in the Netherlands at Transgender Netwerk Nederland

Check out TransAmsterdam, an advocacy and arts organization: transamsterdam.nl

This series is created in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.Learn more about the network: transform-network.net

Let’s celebrate trans joy and trans lives ! 🏳️‍⚧️

A podcast series passes the mic to trans people across Europe to celebrate their stories and explore the cultural, historical, and political landscapes that shape their experiences. 

In this intro episode, host and nonbinary trans creator Em Barrett shares the vision behind the podcast: to move beyond debates and stereotypes and focus on first-person narratives that reflect the diversity of trans lives across Europe.

This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.

🔗 Learn more about Transform! Europe Network at transform-network.net

Follow us on Instagram for updates: @transjoypodcast

Let’s celebrate trans joy and trans lives ! 🏳️‍⚧️

In this second episode of Trans Joy, the journey continues to Barcelona, Spain, where trans and intersex rights have recently taken a step forward with the passing of the “Ley Trans” — the 2023 law that allows legal gender change based on self-identification, prohibits conversion therapy, and bans unnecessary medical procedures on intersex minors.

This episode features Catalina, a Barcelona-based trans artist and cabaret performer. Illustrator by day and showgirl by night — Catalina speaks openly about their relationship to their gender, their body and their art.

🏳️‍⚧️ Tune in for Cat’s story about self-expression and exploration through community and art.  

✨ Follow Catalina’s stunning performance work: @santacatalinax

✨ Stay updated on the podcast: @transjoypodcast

✨ Learn more about Transform! Europe: @transform_europe and at transform-network.net

📚 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Transit – Catalonia’s public trans healthcare provider

• No Binaries España 

• Plataforma Trans (Spain) 

  
  

This series is created by Em Barrett in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.

Let’s celebrate trans lives and trans joy! 🏳️‍⚧️

In this fifth episode of Trans Joy, I am still in London to sit down with La Kata — a radiant figure in London’s queer nightlife. Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, La Kata is a trans woman, sex worker, performer, and makeup artist. From her bedroom in South East London, she shares her story. An intimate and powerful tale of self-definition, and deep-rooted connection to her chosen family and the queer community.

This episode contains mentions of self-harm through substance use. Please listen with care. Also La Kata has chosen to remain anonymous; her name has been edited in post-production to protect her privacy.

✨ Stay updated on the podcast: @transjoypodcast

✨ Learn more about Transform! Europe: @transform_europe and at transform-network.net

📚 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• TransActual UK

• Not A Phase

• We Exist

• The Outside Project

This series is created by ⁠Em Barrett⁠ in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.

Trans Joy is Resistance. 🏳️‍⚧️

In this fourth episode of Trans Joy, I headed to London, UK.Just a decade ago, the UK ranked among the top countries in Europe for LGBTQIA+ rights. Today, it has fallen to 22nd on the 2025 ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map — one of the sharpest declines in the region. This drop follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that redefined “woman” and “sex” under the 2010 Equality Act to mean only biological sex, effectively excluding trans women from single sex spaces, like public bathrooms, sports teams and shelters.

Amid this bleak political landscape, Lewis G. Burton radiates love and gratitude for their community. An artist, DJ, performer, writer, and activist, Lewis is the founder of INFERNO, one of London’s most influential queer club nights, transforming nightlife into a space of resistance, care, and joy. They are also a founding member of London Trans+ Pride — now the largest trans pride event in the world.

🏳️‍⚧️ In this powerful interview, Lewis shares their story and their experience as a community leader. 

✨ Follow Lewis: @lewisgburton

✨ Learn more about London Trans+ Pride: @londontranspride

✨ Stay updated on the podcast: @transjoypodcast

✨ Learn more about Transform! Europe: @transform_europe and at transform-network.net

📚 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• TransActual UK

• Not A Phase

• We Exist

• The Outside Project

This series is created by ⁠Em Barrett⁠ in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.

Trans Joy is Resistance. 🏳️‍⚧️

In this third episode of Trans Joy, I am still in Barcelona where I met Lars, a gay trans man (well, technically bisexual, but he moves in gay cultural spaces), from New York who left the U.S. in search of safety and better access to trans healthcare. With anti-trans legislation sweeping across the U.S., Lars chose migration as a form of resistance — and found a new home in Spain.

Now, he runs Fluid, a queer natural wine bar in the heart of Poble Sec, creating a space of community, care, and celebration. In this conversation, Lars shares his journey of transition, queerness, and finding catharsis in everyday acts.

🏳️‍⚧️ Tune in for a story about migration, building community and trans joy - always ! 

✨ Follow Lars and Fluid: @pansy4pansy and @fluid.bcn

✨ Stay updated on the podcast: @transjoypodcast

✨ Learn more about Transform! Europe: @transform_europe and at transform-network.net

📚 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Transit – Catalonia’s public trans healthcare provider

• No Binaries España

• Plataforma Trans 

This series is created by ⁠Em Barrett⁠ in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.

Trans Joy is Resistance ! 🏳️‍⚧️

In this sixth episode of Trans Joy, I connect with Poland’s first openly trans MP, Anna Grodzka, and activist Lalka Podobińska who introduce me to Marcel a trans man and volunteer at the Human Library in Warsaw, whose generous storytelling helps open hearts and challenge prejudice, one conversation at a time.

✨ Stay updated on the podcast: @transjoypodcast

✨ Learn more about Transform! Europe: @transform_europe and at transform-network.net

📚 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Trans-Fuzja 

• Tranzycja.pl

This series is created by ⁠Em Barrett⁠ in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.

Trans Joy is Resistance. 🏳️‍⚧️

For the 7th episode of Trans Joy, I return  to France — my home country — for a walk in the woods with another Em: a trans artist and facilitator living just a few towns over.

A singer-songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist, a comedian, a clown and he uses these skills along with the tools from collective intelligence,  non-violent communication and social work to work with groups to build confidence and empowerment.

In this heartfelt conversation, recorded while wandering through the forest, we reflect on identity, and community. 

✨ Stay updated on the podcast: @transjoypodcast

✨ Learn more about Transform! Europe: @transform_europe and at transform-network.net

📚 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Outrans

• Acceptess-T 

• Fransgenre

• ExistransInter

  
  

This series is created by ⁠Em Barrett⁠ in collaboration with Espaces Marx and supported by the Transform! Europe Network.

Trans Joy is Resistance. 🏳️‍⚧️