Trans content on The Simpson Season 23, Episode 9 - Holidays of Future Passed
This episode takes place 30 years in the future, and in a scene where Lisa in on a sort of facebook platform on the “Ultra Net” it’s revealed that Martin Prince has transitioned into Martia Princess.
As a joke, it’s a little questionable. But as a comment on society I guess it’s interesting, as there are probably a few people from my past who might have a giggle knowing I am now living as a woman. So i guess the joke is… in the future/present people are able to reveal who they are, and technology will provides all sorts of people with that information… much to their surprise.
More interesting; this revelation brings up a (kinda) serious question. (kinda cause it’s a fuckin cartoon). BUT! with trans politics in mind, should we now accept and embrace Martia’s identity and have that retroactively override the Martin character on the show?
Is this future episode canon, or can anything happen here and not affect the rest of the series story telling potential. Does the fact that Lisa doesn’t find out about Martia’s transition for 30 years, mean that that can’t be discussed in future episodes?
This kinda sucks, cause we often see the young Martin as an irredeemable nerd. The show has gone through many jokes to show how almost every character who interacts with them would ultimately bully them. It’s usually based on how nerdy they are or for acting like a “sissy”…. but potentially for the fact that’s they are a little queer.
As a throw away gag set in one possible future, Martia may be living a pretty good life. But in the present (a present that has never aged for 23 years), Martin is stuck with out support as a young trans person, who is too smart and too queer to live in a stupid town of hilarious bullies such as Springfield. We as an audience have no way to reach out to them.
