We talk a lot about pride here at Transvitae. Pride in our identity. Pride in our transition. Pride in standing tall in a world that so often tries to push us down. But today, I want to talk about another kind of pride—one that’s just as healing, just as affirming, and, let’s be honest, just as fabulous.
I’m talking about nerd pride.
Yep. That glorious, geeky, spell-slinging, cosplay-rocking, dice-rolling, controller-smashing, lightsaber-wielding kind of pride. Because here’s a truth a lot of us know deep down: many transgender people are nerds, too. And that’s something worth celebrating.
From Jock to Theater Kid to Dungeon Master
I’ll start with me. Yes, I played sports growing up. Football, baseball, and basketball—you name it, I probably tried out for it. Even though I was competitive on the field, I never truly felt comfortable there. I found my true calling backstage, not on the scoreboard. The theater department became my sanctuary. Costumes, scripts, makeup, and character studies? Sign me up.
It was in those shadowy wings of high school productions where I first started to understand the power of transformation. I could become anyone. I could be someone else. And for a young, closeted trans girl, that kind of escape was more than just play—it was survival.
But the real magic? That happened at the gaming table.
I was introduced to fantasy roleplaying games early—Dungeons & Dragons, to be specific. And while I didn’t have the words yet to explain why, slipping into the persona of Val’lyn De’ana—an elegant, cunning Moon Elf rogue—felt more authentic than anything I lived outside the game. Val’lyn wasn’t just a character. She was me. She was the girl I longed to be, living freely in a fantasy world where no one questioned her identity or told her she didn’t belong.
Nerdiness Is Not a Phase—It’s a Superpower
So many of us in the trans community find comfort, creativity, and community in nerd culture. It’s not just escapism. It’s a lifeline. And honestly? We’ve been here all along.
Look at any Magic: The Gathering tournament, comic book convention, or Final Fantasy server. Look at the fanfiction authors, the LEGO collectors, the Funko Pop curators, the cosplayers who spend weeks crafting perfect armor builds or anime outfits. The number of trans folks you’ll find there isn’t a coincidence—it’s a pattern.
We are nerds. We always have been. And instead of hiding it or apologizing for it, it’s time we started celebrating that. Because when the world tells you your identity is too weird, too confusing, too different… the fantasy worlds we build and love tell us something else: You belong. You matter. You’re powerful.
Why Nerd Spaces Feel Like Home
There’s a reason why a large number of trans people gravitate towards nerdy spaces, and it’s not solely due to the presence of dragons and space battles (although those are also enjoyable).
Fantasy and sci-fi universes are often places where identity is fluid, gender can shift, and transformation is magical rather than shameful. They let us imagine new worlds—better worlds—where we can see ourselves as heroes, queens, warriors, spellcasters, or adorable animal villagers.
Think about it:
- In tabletop RPGs, you can create the gender expression you want to have.
- You can choose your name, your look, and your class in MMOs without anyone objecting.
- In cosplay, you can embody characters of any gender, any universe, and be celebrated for your creativity.
These spaces are where we learn confidence. They’re where we try out new names, new voices, new looks. And more often than not, they’re where we find community—people who get us in a way that cisnormative spaces often don’t.
You’re Not Too Old, Too Weird, or Too Much
Let’s address something head-on: It’s easy to feel like being a “nerd” is something you’re supposed to grow out of. Society tells us that after a certain age, we’re supposed to put away our toys, stop dressing up, and “get serious.”
But who established the limit of joy? Who said adults aren’t allowed to have hobbies that light them up?
Building LEGO cities? Playing Pokémon Go? Repainting your Warhammer minis? Those things aren’t “childish.” They’re joyful. They’re meaningful. They’re ways of building little pockets of peace and purpose in a world that can be harsh and cold—especially when you’re transgender.
We get so few moments to be fully ourselves. So if playing Stardew Valley after a long day helps you breathe easier, or if attending a Renaissance festival in a handmade cloak makes you feel alive—do it. Do it loudly. Do it proudly.
Finding the “Nerdy” Trans Family
Here’s another beautiful truth: you are not alone. There is a massive, thriving, proud-as-hell community of transgender nerds out there. And the internet has made it easier than ever to find each other.
We’ve got Reddit subs where memes, cosplay, and pride meet. We’ve got entire Discord servers filled with trans D&D players forming adventuring parties. We’ve got Twitch streamers and YouTubers who are unapologetically queer, trans, and nerdy—and they’re building entire platforms on that authenticity.
And if you’ve never watched a group of trans women go full Witcher in a cosplay contest? Honey, you are missing out. Finding your people—people who get your pronouns and your anime references—isn’t just fun. It’s healing.
RELATED: Finding Your Tribe: Building a Supportive Community as a Single Trans Person
The Joy of Being Multifaceted
Being trans isn’t all of who we are. It’s part of our identity, sure. However, it’s not the entirety of our identity.
Just like being a gamer, a comic book lover, a fantasy fan, or a costume-making wizard isn’t who you are—it’s just a part of your colorful, multi-class character sheet. And you don’t have to choose. You don’t have to compartmentalize. You don’t have to apologize.
You can be proud of your transition and your Pokémon collection. You can cry happy tears about being gendered correctly and rage over the latest Legend of Zelda timeline debate. You can be into soft, dreamy cottagecore aesthetics and still roll a chaotic evil tiefling rogue.
These parts of you don’t conflict—they complement. Your queerness and your nerdiness are both powerful, beautiful lenses through which you experience the world.
Our Nerdiness Helps Us Heal
Let’s not downplay this part: being transgender is hard. The world isn’t always kind to us. Between dysphoria, discrimination, and just trying to survive in a society that often doesn’t see us, it’s easy to get weighed down.
That’s where our nerdy passions come in. They’re not just hobbies—they’re tools for resilience.
Every time you escape into a fantasy world, you’re giving your brain a break from the stress. Every time you cosplay your favorite character, you’re reclaiming your body and saying, “This is mine, and I will shape it how I see fit.” Every time you build a world in Minecraft, conquer a boss in Elden Ring, or beat your friend in Mario Kart, you’re reminding yourself that you’re capable, clever, and strong.
Those small joys? They add up. They become your armor. They’re how we survive.
The Bottom Line
So here’s your permission slip, not that you needed one: Be your full, unapologetic self. Be a trans woman who plays Magic: The Gathering and gets emotional over planeswalkers. Be a nonbinary cosplayer who rocks armor builds better than Hollywood studios. Be a transmasc LEGO architect who builds queer pride flags out of bricks.
Be a nerd. Be proud. Because you are magical. Because you are needed. Because you bring something unique and beautiful to every fandom you touch. And when the world tries to say you don’t belong? Roll for persuasion. Because the truth is, we’ve always belonged.
TL;DR?
You don’t have to apologize for your transgender identity, pride, or nerdiness. Whether you found your strength in stories, your voice in character sheets, or your confidence in cosplay, it’s all part of your power.
So be proud of your transition. Be proud of your pronouns. And for the love of the gods, be proud of your Funko Pop wall.
You’re not “too much.” You’re just right. Now pass the dice—it’s time to cast Fireball.
