One of the coolest character´s ever written: a bisexual Asian bigender superhero (they/them).
Denying their transness felt like a step back.
Jordan saying "I'm not trans, I'm bigender" in Gen V Season 2, Episode 3 felt like a setback, and personally it felt like case of trans erasure.
I get where they're coming from with bigender representation, but it still falls under the trans umbrella. The way it was framed seemed like an explicit rejection of being trans, which feels damaging. It sends the message that non-binary identities like Jordan's aren’t part of the trans experience, and that’s harmful.
For me, it felt deeply invalidating and even anti-trans, especially coming from a powerful trans character like Jordan. After, Season 2, Episode 2 where we see a vulnerable moment Jordan after kissing Marie, pauses, and seeks 'permission' to be themselves, only for Marie to fully embrace and accept Jordan for who they are. The drastically rejection of the trans label in the following episode, felt like a betrayal of that authenticity. Especially with trans rights constantly under attack, separating bigender from trans identity only draws an unnecessary line.
I wasn’t expecting Gen V to undermine the authenticity of Jordan Li’s trans journey. Season 1 handled their trans identity with sensitivity, portraying a deeply personal conflict. Their father’s claim that they can “choose to be a boy forever” dismisses their identity, perpetuating harmful biases. This rejection, followed with misgendering and family expectations, highlights the transphobia Jordan faces.
Jordan´s experiences mirrors real-life trans experiences, where families insist on binary. Their parents’ insistence on he/him pronouns invalidates their bigender identity, leaving Jordan feeling rejected and unseen. Jordan feels hated because their parents don't accept them not being a boy.
As #1 they are asked for a photo from a “fan” asking them to shift on demand, to which Jordan so politely declines. In Season 1, we see a mocking of their they/them pronouns as it is a flaw, but also, erasure of their trans-ness. Not wanting any ties of Jordan Li to Vought as a marketing campaign, this changes in S2 where promoting Rank #1 to show “the struggles of being a trans person in the world and how God U welcomed [them] with open arms”
Despite the controversy, that doesn't take away from the fact that Jordan Li is still an Asian bigender bisexual hero who faces real challenges with transphobia, gender identity complexity, misgendering, dysphoria, and societal pressure. Their story is a complex portrayal of someone navigating multiple aspects of identity, and they embody resilience in the face of adversity.
Jordan Li is a powerful representation, and no matter how their identity is framed, they are still a symbol of trans rights and the struggles that come with fighting for recognition and acceptance. 🏳️⚧️
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