Warning: Some SPOILERS lie ahead for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!
While audiences begin theorizing the nature of the character’s gender identity, Gwen Stacy’s inclusion of a trans flag has led to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse being banned in two countries. The animated superhero sequel follows Miles Morales as he’s reunited with Gwen and learns of a whole army of Spider-People formed by Miguel O’Hara, though conflicts with them over how to handle The Spot and his father’s impending death at his hands. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has garnered the same level of acclaim as its Oscar-winning predecessor.
Just two weeks after the movie hit theaters in most regions, Esquire Middle East has brought word that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has been banned in two countries, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Though not explicitly stated in the report, the superhero sequel was said not to have met the requirements of The Media Regulatory Office’s censorship guidelines that “international and local content must adhere to local customs and values,” seemingly stemming from the movie’s use of trans imagery with Gwen Stacy’s room.
Why Fans Are Theorizing Gwen Stacy Is Trans In Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse‘s banning comes shortly after many fans of the sequel took to social media to share their theories that Gwen is herself trans. One of the biggest hints in the movie is the frequent appearance of the trans flag in Gwen’s home universe, including one posted above her bedroom doorway that reads “Protect Trans Kids” and pins on both her jacket and her father’s police uniform.
This imagery is even seen in the color scheme and palette for Gwen’s world, an aspect that frequently changes in association with the mood of Hailee Steinfeld’s young hero in the midst of struggling with the loss of her Peter Parker, alienation from her dad and revealing her identity to him. It all culminates with the emotional Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse climax in which she reconciles with her dad and the background changes to a white, pastel blue and pink color scheme as he chooses to accept her being Spider-Woman.
While there has been some debates about having a cisgender actor portraying a trans character, the lack of confirmation of Gwen being such in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has left these as theories to this point. That being said, with audiences positively resonating with the idea of Gwen being trans and the creatives behind both movies frequently taking fan feedback to heart, it will be interesting to see if next year’s Beyond the Spider-Verse properly establishes this as canon.
