I know people have already moved on, I just wanted to say first as a trans woman that it has actually been such a joy seeing the community rally against what is unfortunately a very common experience. I.e. people with power deciding that trans people's existence is too "controversial", so trans people are pushed out of sight to allow bigots to exist in spaces quietly. It is admittedly a very low stakes version of something that happens way too often nowadays. The increasing attacks of trans people's rights in the world today is very scary to see. And then on the smaller scale so many fandoms I'm a part of have been co-opted by absolute losers whining about "wokeness", or that any LGBT inclusion in media is "shoved down their throat" just because a gay or trans person dared to exist as a missable side character. "They put pronouns in [blank]" type shit.
I remember the backlash from some people when the game first launched. People downloaded mods to remove the trans flag from the Beast. You know, loser behaviour. So years later seeing the support from the community after the mods decision, then enough to get it reversed, changed what would have a very disheartening situation that implicitly supports transphobia, to a very nice moment of community solidarity that rejects transphobia.
So I wanted to talk about Claire and this is the main purpose of the post...
I do really like her. I think she's cool from her first convo. Mostly because I didn't expect the "Afterlife bartender character" actually have a character. Its really sweet that we can get her to add Jackie's drink to the menu. She introduces us to the racing side missions which I've always thought was a fun change of pace. But I've also always liked Claire as trans representation.
Design-wise I find her to be a very realistic, unfetishised, and honest and respectful depiction of a trans woman. She's a bit tall, her shoulders are a bit broad, but that's never used to undermine her womanhood. She's even a bit older (she always read to me as early 40s, maybe late 30s at the youngest) when most trans rep are early 20s or younger. The devs didnt make a ciswoman and then stapled "trans woman" onto her as a retcon, nor is she hyperfemme practically a femboy, nor is she the transphobic stereotype of "a man in a wig". To me, she looks like a realistic, honest and respectful image of a trans woman thats fairly achievable even today. Claire is also not the "perfect minority" character that is so common when trying to make "good representation". She is allowed to have flaws, she lies and manipulates V into committing murder, she is driven by revenge, and she fucking *hates* you if you dont help her get that revenge. Claire is a mechanic. Machanic is often stereotyped as being a "manly profession". And yet the game never presents it that way, nor is it ever used to invalidate her womanhood. Claire's story is not focused on her facing transphobia, nor some overdone coming out story. In fact, Claire doesnt face any transphobia in the story. V doesnt even react or comment at all, and I love that. She is allowed to just exist, as a woman, as a trans person, with more important things going on in her life. For me thats so refreshing to see (and why banning posts about her was so tone deaf imo).
Honestly my biggest complaint is the line "he knew me before my gender transition" is very clunky and awkward and very on the nose.
That's ultimately why I like her so much (which I am 100% allowed to express that opinion and nit have it removed). Plenty of people don't like her. They find the fact that she lies and manipulates V too unlikeable, or they dont like her writing, or don't like The Beast as a reward etc (which they are 100% allowed to express that opinion and not have it removed). But then there are some absolute loser gonks who hate her because they get triggered and cry everytime they are reminded that trans people exist. Those people should be rightfully reported and have their posts removed because their transphobic loser behaviour does not belong in this community.
But you know who does belong?
Claire Russell. Bartender of the Afterlife. Mechanic. Racer. Manipulative liar who tricks V into helping her kill Samson and avenge her dead husband. Who is also a trans woman.
So the transphobes can keep crying and whining. And I'm gonna keep on reporting them. Because none of their whining will change the fact that there are, in fact, pronouns in the videogame.
