Perched On The Top Rope

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 interview

00:00 Intro

00:49 Coming up in wrestling being trans

02:25 Coming out as transgender

03:25 How she felt about herself as a male

04:00 Changing at school

04:20 Bullying

05:40 Finding resources on trans community

07:00 Advice to those struggling

09:10 Oklahoma Bill "Save Women's Sports" thoughts

10:45 Inter-gender matches in wrestling history

11:45 Oklahoma Bill and its effects on Nyla Rose

16:00 Any reluctant telling promoters she's trans

17:10 Promoter having issue with her being trans

18:50 Podcasters cancelling

20:25 People afraid of backlash

22:15 When she became a fan of pro wrestling

22:59 Wrestling inter-gender matches and backlash

24:30 Not having any women to train with or wrestle at school

24:50 Oklahoma Banning matches, what about training?

26:25 If you're banning trans what happens when they wrestle men

27:00 Thoughts on people wanting all trans sports

27:50 Transgender Boxing League?

29:15 Rick Steiner - Gisele Shaw WrestleCon

32:46 Who does Lay'lah James look up to

35:30 Comments on the Nyla Rose post from non-wrestling fans

36:50 How Lay'lah wants trans people represented in wrestling

38:00 Shoutout to Taylor One Shot creating a transgender belt

42:45 Thankful for acceptance in wrestling

44:10 Going to certain places also having an issue with race

45:00 Wrestlers she wants to work with in the future

45:25 Shares story almost wrestling Nyla Rose

Resources

https://transequality.org/

https://www.hrc.org/resources/be-an-a...

https://gate.ngo/our-work/

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