Jey McCreight, a Chicago scientist, is igniting a conversation and a global movement this DNA Day (April 25th) with a simple yet wonderfully provocative question: “What would happen if trans people suddenly became ‘too powerful’?” This isn’t a serious scientific hypothesis in the traditional sense, but rather a brilliant, tongue-in-cheek experiment McCreight calls a “transquake.” It’s a real, worldwide day of action, complete with an in-person event in Chicago, that simultaneously launches Beyond X&Y, an educational advocacy campaign designed to directly counter the alarming surge of anti-trans misinformation. What makes this misinformation particularly insidious, McCreight points out, is its frequent disguise in the language of science, even when it lacks any basis in truth.
McCreight believes that as lawmakers and public figures increasingly weaponize “biology” to justify limiting trans rights, scientists bear a crucial responsibility to oppose these narratives. The “transquake” is their bold, humorous, and deeply intelligent way of doing just that. “They’re saying trans people are this horrible, scary, evil, powerful force that’s destroying the world,” McCreight explains, articulating the absurdity of the narrative. “Well, if they think we’re so powerful, that’s a testable hypothesis.” The “transquake” itself cleverly references McCreight’s accidental viral “boobquake” rallies from 2010. Back then, as a biology student, they satirically invited women to show cleavage to test an Iranian cleric’s outlandish claim that immodestly dressed women caused earthquakes. This current experiment, decades later, aims to “maximize the amount of transness in the world within a 24-hour period” and then observe the supposed catastrophic consequences.
The call to action for the transquake is both local and global, inviting participation in myriad ways. In Chicago, people can join the official Transquake variety hour at the Lincoln Lodge, a science-themed show featuring standup and drag performances by trans and queer artists, culminating in a playfully scientific “experiment” led by McCreight themselves. But the invitation extends far beyond Chicago’s city limits. Individuals, no matter where they are, are encouraged to participate by finding unique ways to express queer joy in their daily lives or by engaging virtually on social media using #transquake and tagging @beyondxandy. McCreight jokingly ponders the potential outcomes of this satirical experiment: “Will we trigger an earthquake under Mar a Lago? Will lightning strike a certain moldy castle in Scotland? Or will I myself be struck with lightning? Let’s test whether we are actually that powerful.” The humor underscores the baselessness of the fear-mongering while creating an accessible, engaging platform for advocacy.
McCreight’s initiative is deeply rooted in both their rigorous scientific background and their lived experience as a transgender person. A human geneticist by training, they earned a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and later spearheaded science communication at 23andMe, where they translated complex genetic research for broader audiences and championed inclusive approaches to sex and gender in data collection. McCreight openly shares that their fascination with science, particularly the biological diversity of sex, stemmed from their personal journey to understand their own gender identity. Growing up in Northwest Indiana with limited representation, science became a crucial lens through which they reconciled their internal feelings about gender. “I remember as a 16-year-old looking at my genetics books and learning about intersex variations, realizing I felt like a boy and that sex isn’t as simple as people say,” McCreight recalls, highlighting the profound personal connection between their scientific pursuit and their identity.
However, McCreight has also witnessed firsthand how anti-trans voices cynically co-opt scientific language to justify their attacks, often by promoting oversimplified or inaccurate claims, such as the rigid idea that biological sex is strictly binary. This observation fuels their passionate belief that scientists have a moral imperative to use their expertise to correct the record and defend transgender people with accurate facts. “These are fringe, right-wing activists trying to act like they represent science, and scientists have a duty to push back on ideas that are unscientific and being used to harm people,” McCreight asserts, underscoring the urgency and responsibility inherent in this fight. This isn’t just about abstract scientific debate; it’s about real people whose lives are being impacted by disinformation.
The “transquake” experiment, therefore, is far more than a stunt; it’s McCreight’s strategic and heartfelt response to this harmful wave of misinformation. It’s a powerful blend of humor, education, and community-building, meticulously designed to dismantle fear-based narratives about transgender people. It’s also merely the genesis of a much larger vision: McCreight hopes to cultivate Beyond X&Y into a comprehensive media campaign, complete with podcasts, videos, articles, events, and a multitude of other resources. “I want to do fun things for the trans community in a geeky, Bill Nye the Science Guy way—something that can move the needle a little bit toward more knowledge and empathy,” McCreight shares, envisioning a future where scientific literacy and human compassion converge to create a more understanding and accepting world for trans individuals.