Show notes
Lay'lah James is an independent wrestler not only out to make a name for herself, but educate the fans along the way about the trans community. Lay'lah is transgender and we discuss what was like growing up the wrong sex and the struggles she faced not only growing up, but the struggles she's faced in professional wrestling.In 2022, Oklahoma signed a bill banning trans athletes from competing against same sex (transgender woman in women sports) and this included pro-wrestling. Lay'lah shares her thoughts on the Oklahoma State Athletic Commissions decision. Lay'lah is transgender and we discuss what was like growing up the wrong sex and the struggles she faced not only growing up, but the struggles she's faced in professional wrestling.Lay'lah expresses that the wrestling community has been very open, and very accepting of her (with a few exceptions). She has goals within the wrestling community including dream matches with top wrestling superstars! Laylah james interview00:00 Intro00:49 Coming up in wrestling being trans02:25 Coming out as transgender03:25 How she felt about herself as a male04:00 Changing at school04:20 Bullying05:40 Finding resources on trans community07:00 Advice to those struggling09:10 Oklahoma Bill "Save Women's Sports" thoughts10:45 Inter-gender matches in wrestling history11:45 Oklahoma Bill and its effects on Nyla Rose16:00 Any reluctant telling promoters she's trans17:10 Promoter having issue with her being trans18:50 Podcasters cancelling20:25 People afraid of backlash22:15 When she became a fan of pro wrestling22:59 Wrestling inter-gender matches and backlash24:30 Not having any women to train with or wrestle at school24:50 Oklahoma Banning matches, what about training?26:25 If you're banning trans what happens when they wrestle men27:00 Thoughts on people wanting all trans sports27:50 Transgender Boxing League?29:15 Rick Steiner - Gisele Shaw WrestleCon 32:46 Who does Lay'lah James look up to35:30 Comments on the Nyla Rose post from non-wrestling fans36:50 How Lay'lah wants trans people represented in wrestling38:00 Shoutout to Taylor One Shot creating a transgender belt42:45 Thankful for acceptance in wrestling44:10 Going to certain places also having an issue with race45:00 Wrestlers she wants to work with in the future45:25 Shares story almost wrestling Nyla RoseResourceshttps://transequality.org/https://www.hrc.org/resources/be-an-a...https://gate.ngo/our-work/#LaylahJames #NylaRose #SupportIndyWrestling #transcommunity #lgbtq #WrestlingCommunity #WrestlingNews #OklahomaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/perchedonthetoprope/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
