Why are there SO many Trans people in VRChat? Gender, Identity, and Self Discovery.

Gender Identity is a big part of our real & virtual selves, and the power of virtually embodying an avatar in social VR brings a sense of presence and self within the company of others in a way that’s only possible in virtual reality. Come with me to check out one of the LARGEST user populations of VRChat that have been significantly affected by their ability to experiment with gender. Meet the Trans Community!

Join my Discord + Live Events:

PHIA's Socials

VR Footage + Editing assistance by Elim

Join the TVRS VRChat Group:

=TIMESTAMPS=
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Surfshark VPN!
2:13 - “Virtual Embodiment”
3:54 - Gender Dysphoria & Avatars
7:29 - Academy’s Classes
8:53 - Meeting the Community
10:11 - Interviewing a troll
11:02 - Social VR’s Power
12:06 - April Event Announcement

TVRS SHORTS!
PHIA Second Channel:

TVRS Studio Channel:

MERCH:

Outro Song (im_naku - Not Titled):

[TheVirtualRealityShow]

Thanks for watching my deep dives :)

[Altaranalt]

The girl going from her *DEEP* voice, all the way up to her more feminine voice was kind of mind blowing, ngl

[TheThorns]

I really wish the field of psychology would explore VR as a therapeutic technology more. For years it has only been used for aversion therapy for certain phobias, but it seems like it has way more potential. VR can be used/crafted for so much more in the field of psychology and help so many people with, anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia etc.

[Zman]

I am firmly of the believe that everything you do in VR, reflects just as much about who you are as if you were out in the physical world. Your avatar the way you act and interact is just as meaningful and important as if you were doing it in real life. Just because people aren't physically there doesn't mean your interactions have no meaning or less meaning than real physical ones... As someone with a disability that makes it hard to go out in real life for extended periods of time, VR has literally become my social life, and I have never felt more confident about myself and how I act etc than ever before.

[DN-fskb]

As a trans man, i love vrchat and video-gaming. The ability to look completely different and sound different to others is amazing. Its really amazing and ive met lots of cool people.

[felixkrell]

I am currently in the process of writing about mutism in VR and the topic of trans identity and voice dysphoria is also a huge point there. I found that almost all trans users i interviewed over the last few years were either still mute, or had a mute phase of about 6 months on average. Will be interesting see how institutionalized voice training academies like this will affect that!

[inkstock]

I've already known I was trans before playing vrchat, but man... the first time I put on an avatar of a guy, now that, that is a moment I'll never forget. the sheer euphoria of seeing myself in a body I'm far more comfortable in, I think I stared at myself in the mirror for like 20 mins straight. my therapist at the time was very supportive of this as well.
thank you for covering this, I didn't know they had voice training in the group so I might become more active haha

[TizzyBell]

Amazing job Phia! Thank you so much for stopping by the Trans Academy and diving into the topic of using VRChat to explore gender identity. Social VR is creating positive change in real life and I'm so happy that people like you and Thrill are sharing that with the world.

[tihs]

Definitely didn't expect my performance to be part of the footage for this video but I'm honored to be included in such a supportive video. VRC definitely helps a lot of us be who we truly are in a world where that's not always possible and it's truly something beautiful.

[myhoneeybear]

I have a friend that's trans and I had no idea this group existed until I saw this video. I'll think she'll love this and have a supportive community to help her through her journey

[tuckergregory]

As a person under the trans umbrella, VRChat is magical. If only I could live there forever...

[Gladuos]

8:05 HOLY! Here I thought it was impossible being that deep to start. That's honestly inspiring.

[Aida_berry]

If only i wasnt bullied and called slurs for being trans or my sexuality ( •  ⁠‿⁠ ⁠, •)
Anyways! Loved the video! ^^ I never knew how to change my voice to be more feminine or keep it feminine. I never really tried cuz i feel kinda silly for some reason, but I'm glad to know about this world!!!

Also that moth avatar near 4 minutes is so beautiful omg!!!

[Ashley-]

POV: You're sorting by new due to an unhealthy need to find hate comments to justify an anger which is already justified by the conditions of our life.

[Bunitichii]

This video means so much to me as a trans-NB who's closeted :'D

finding welcoming communities or just people is so hard, so to know about the trans academy was so nice!!
also 11:45 was just so sweet to hear <33

thank you Phia for this video!! :3

[blitzar]

I actually started crying when she did the voice example because I was afraid that I could never have a feminine voice because of my natural one, thank you for showing me this PHIA 💜

[Freddie_]

That vocal feminisation was honestly fascinating. Born to be a voice acter

[DynamicEllie]

I really needed this today. My own mental health is at an all time low. The amount of trans hate in the world appears to be growing. People are becoming empowered by each others hate. The UK government is about to remove trans protections from the human rights act. Every trans video on YouTube is full of hate comments. It's really messing with my mental health. In fact, only 2 days ago I experienced some of the worst trans hate in VRC that I've ever experienced. It's becoming really depressing.

Anti trans activists will say that we become more unhappy when we transition, without realising its them that causes that unhappiness. I was over the moon with my decision, until I was met with barrages of hate, every single day.

To see a pro trans video, especially from a CIS ally is like a breath of fresh air. And your comments seem quite positive. Thank you for this Phia. Your timing couldn't have been any more perfect.

[planlessdan]

I have to stop by this world. It was REALLY cool to see, and HEAR the effect of voice training, and people being able to be happy with just being themselves. I haven't played VRChat in a pretty long time, but one of the first times I REALLY got to comfortable experiment with my gender and expression was on here, and I could definitely relate to staring into a mirror and going "hmm, this feels kind of amazing actually huh" so seeing them getting some kinda exposure here was amazing, and might just get me to dust off my headset and jump back in!

[Juschlan]

Me at 4:40: "okay yes the number is rising, correct, now also cover the left hand statistic"
Phia: *covers EXACTLY THAT!*
Phia, great video! Thanks! I didn't know of this Trans Academy before.