Hey Beautiful Humans,

Alan Cumming said something on Jimmy Kimmel this week that supercharged my heart: trans people are superheroes.

I agree. And after my conversation with Italian activist Angelica Polmonari, I can confirm - trans allies are too - the superhero universe is bigger than we think.

Table of Contents

• Hey Beautiful Humans,

  • The Superheroes We Need to See

  • Why Trans People Are Superheroes

  • Plot Twist: Allies Are Superheroes Too

  • The Superhero Origin Stories We're Missing

  • Why I Help Superheroes Tell Their Stories

  • Your Superhero Moment Journal Prompt

  • How to Join the Superhero Alliance

  • This Week's Superhero Assignment

    • Hit reply and tell me: What superhero do you see i …

  • The Real Talk

The Superheroes We Need to See

I called Angelica our "global gender equity superstar" and "hero" during our interview, and I meant every word. This lesbian activist is literally fighting for LGBTQ+ rights across 49 European countries while living in Italy - the country with the highest trans murder rates in Europe.

Let that sink in. She's fighting for people who face the ultimate danger, while knowing she could be next.

If that's not superhero behavior, I don't know what is.

Why Trans People Are Superheroes

Which traits do you wish you had?

• They brave showing up as their true identity after wearing masks to hide among "normal" people

• They choose authenticity over safety daily - the ultimate heroic choice

• Their superpowers include deflecting evil untrue accusations from people who've never lived their experience

• They would rather fight with love instead of weapons or billionaire greed

• They make "ordinary" spaces more colorful just by existing authentically

• They can spot other closeted superheroes and offer safe haven

• They teach the world about courage without even trying

• They turn pain into purpose - the ultimate alchemy

And yes, their outfits tend to be amazing! 🌈

🎧 For more superhero stories: Subscribe to Be the Glitter podcast

Plot Twist: Allies Are Superheroes Too

And here's what Angelica and I (if I do say so myself) agree on: superheroes support other superheroes.

She's a lesbian activist dedicating her life to trans rights. When Maserati (Yes, the well-known sports car company) hired her to train their employees, something magical happened. These sports car engineers and designers asked her: "What can we do daily to make our LGBTQ+ colleagues feel seen, heard, and valued?"

Suddenly, ordinary people became superheroes. Not because they had special powers, but because they chose to use their privilege to protect others.

📱 Daily superhero spotting: Follow @betheglitterpodcast on TikTok for bite-sized inspiration

The Superhero Origin Stories We're Missing

Every week on my podcast, I meet more superheroes:

• A trans politician running for office despite death threats (Friday's guest!)

• A trans minister bringing faith and authenticity together

• A non-binary tech trainer writing 500-page books on inclusive language

• And everyday people learning to be better allies

These aren't your typical comic book heroes. They don't have capes or billion-dollar gadgets. They have something more powerful: the courage to be authentically human in a world that punishes authenticity.

💌 Send Love To Your Heroes: Forward this newsletter to someone who needs to know they're a superhero too

Why I Help Superheroes Tell Their Stories

As a writer, I've realized something: I like being a superhero for other superheroes.

My superpower isn't flying or super strength. It's amplification. It's making sure the voices that need to be heard actually get heard. It's helping people see the extraordinary courage in seemingly ordinary humans.

Because here's the truth: when we start seeing LGBTQ+ people as superheroes instead of threats, everything changes. When we recognize allies as superheroes instead of "just being decent," more people want to join the team.

✍️ Ready to write your own superhero story? Forward Fest workshop on August 22nd teaches you to tell your big, brave story - because someone needs to hear exactly what you've survived and learned.

Your Superhero Moment Journal Prompt

What superhero power do YOU have?

Maybe it's:

• Listening to stories that challenge your worldview

• Speaking up when someone makes a harmful joke

• Sharing content that amplifies marginalized voices

• Learning about experiences different from your own

• Showing up to support your LGBTQ+ friends and family

Every superhero started with one choice to do something brave. Give yourself 10 minutes to fill pages with as much bravery you’ve had in your life as you can.

How to Join the Superhero Alliance

🎧 For more superhero stories: Subscribe to Be the Glitter podcast - new conversations with incredible humans every week

📱 Daily superhero spotting: Follow @betheglitterpodcast on TikTok for bite-sized inspiration

✍️ Ready to write your own superhero story? Forward Fest workshop on August 22nd teaches you to tell your big, brave story - because someone needs to hear exactly what you've survived and learned

📚 Choose your own superhero adventure: My book offers 29 different story paths because real superheroes know life isn't linear

💌 Weekly superhero spotlights: Forward this newsletter to someone who needs to know they're a superhero too

🔗 All superhero headquarters: linktr.ee/waamwrites

This Week's Superhero Assignment

Hit reply and tell me: What superhero do you see in the mirror?

Maybe you're the one who:

• Shows up for friends in crisis

• Makes space for quiet voices to be heard

• Keeps fighting for what's right even when it's hard

• Loves people exactly as they are

• Uses your privilege to protect others

Tag a superhero in your life on a social post and let them know you appreciate their super powers.

Share this newsletter with someone who needs to remember they're not just surviving - they're saving the world by being authentically themselves.

The Real Talk

Right now, real-life superheroes are under attack. Laws are being written to erase them. Violence against them is increasing. People are trying to convince the world that superheroes are the villains.

But we know better.

We know that the people brave enough to live authentically in a hostile world are exactly the heroes we need. We know that the allies willing to risk comfort for others' safety are the ones changing everything.

We know that you don't need a cape to save lives - sometimes you just need to see someone's humanity and treat them like the superhero they are.

Fighting alongside superheroes everywhere,
Laura aka Wa'am ✨

P.S. This week, practice seeing superheroes everywhere. That trans person at the grocery store? Superhero. That ally asking thoughtful questions? Superhero. That person sharing authentic stories on social media? Superhero.

✨ The more superheroes we see, the more we become. ✨

"What's your superpower?" isn't just a fun question - it's a revolutionary way of seeing each other's extraordinary courage to be human.