The Star Wars franchise has introduced its first transgender Stormtrooper character, named “Sister,” in the new book Star Wars: The Secrets of the Clone Troopers. According to a report by Star Wars Holocron on X, the character is described by Captain Rex as someone who “expressed her gender identity differently than her fellow troopers” and initially felt the need to hide who she truly was. However, her comrades in the 7th Sky Corps gave her the name “Sister” to affirm her belonging.
The book, aimed at young fans and children, features Sister’s armor with stripes resembling the transgender flag. Sister first appeared in the 2022 book Queen’s Hope, serving alongside well-known characters Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Clone Wars. To date, Sister has not appeared in any Star Wars movies or TV shows.
The introduction of the character has sparked mixed reactions. Some longtime fans expressed skepticism, questioning how a clone trooper could express a gender identity, while others criticized Disney for what they see as overly “woke” changes to the franchise. One user commented, “Storm Troopers are created clones, so how would one of them decide they want to change their gender?”
However, other fans praised the move for its inclusiveness, with one user noting that Sister’s character “means a lot to some people.” Disney and the Star Wars franchise have faced similar backlash over progressive themes in the past. In June, Disney+ debuted The Acolyte, a series set 100 years before The Phantom Menace, which received criticism for its LGBTQ representation. The show was later canceled in August, two months after its premiere.
