FEATURE:
Love Me More
IN THIS PHOTO: Sam Smith came out as genderqueer in 2017 and non-binary in 2019/PHOTO CREDIT: Joel Palmer for GQ
Creating a More Open and Accepting Environment for Trans Artists
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OVER the past few years …
IN THIS PHOTO: Celebrated and hugely influential Queer artist, girl in red/PHOTO CREDIT: Hanifah Mohammad for GAY TIMES
there has been a lot more visibility of great L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ artists on the scene. Once was the time where artists had to hide their sexuality – if they were not heterosexual that is. Change was gradual, but there is a lot more openness when it comes to sexuality. Although the music industry is not fully integrated and as supportive as it could be, things are a lot better. Artists themselves are putting out incredibly honest songs that do not hide or obscure. This is very powerful, and it means that L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ fans feel seen, heard and spoken for. Let’s hope that, soon enough, L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ artist receive as much opportunity as any other artist. The same cannot be said when it comes to trans artists’ rights. One might argue there are far fewer trans artists (than L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+). This is true, though there are many great trans artists that are being overlooked. Maybe they feel like it would be taboo or career-killing to reveal they are trans. It is a corner of the industry that needs addressing. I do think there needs to be a lot of education and discussion about transgenderism. Still a lot of ignorance pervades. This article from 2020 shows that, whilst many L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ artists are receiving recognition and the credit they deserve, there are trans artists who are being ignored or sidelined:
“Over the last few years, LGB artists have been gaining a lot of recognition in the music industry. From Troye Sivan and Years and Years frontman, Olly Alexander, to Hayley Kiyoko and the up and coming singer-songwriter Girl in Red, queer artists have deservedly been celebrated and incorporated into pop-culture. But what about transgender musicians? Why are trans and non-binary artists failing to break into the mainstream when they are no less talented than the cisgender members of the LGB community?
Perhaps the best example of a mainstream trans musician is pop artist Sam Smith. The British singer has gained immense popularity since their debut album in 2014, winning numerous awards—including four Grammys and three Brit Awards—and composing the theme song for the 2015 Bond film, ‘Spectre’. However, despite their achievements, Smith (who identifies as non-binary), has been repeatedly mis-gendered in the media since coming out. An Associated Press article attracted widespread criticism for repeatedly using he/him pronouns to describe the singer whilst reporting on Smith’s decision to use they/them, and though the news outlet later fixed this error, many other publications failed to do so. The issue highlights a lack of understanding towards the trans community, potentially a factor in why there aren’t as many trans artists in the mainstream and demonstrates the need to support trans people in the music industry.
There are loads of great trans and non-binary musicians working across a wide range of music genres, so there is guaranteed to be something for everyone. If you like pop music then I would highly recommend Dorian Electra, a genderfluid singer and performance artist whose music focuses on intersectional feminism and queer acceptance. Both their songs and music videos play with gender roles, questioning the idea of a binary and advocating for self-expression. They have also collaborated with Charli XCX and 100 Gecs and both songs are well worth checking out.
If R&B is your thing, check out Shea Diamond, whose soul infused music is incredibly powerful. The trans activist originally wrote the song ‘I Am Her’—which celebrates and advocates for trans women—whilst she was incarcerated in a men’s prison, where she faced discrimination for her identity. Her music is a testament to her experiences and displays great emotional and musical depth.
For a more folk style artist, Skylar Kergil is a singer-songwriter who explores his experience as a trans man in his acoustic tracks, which also contain undertones of country and western. Kergil also has a YouTube channel (skylarkeleven) where he has documented his transition and uploads trans activism related content. Similarly, Joanna Sternberg also creates folk music, though with a far darker and more gritty tone. Their debut album Then I Try Some More explores mental health issues and suicidal ideation, making it a difficult listen but well worthwhile”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Kim Petras/PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Al Taan/The Guardian
It is sad that things have not really opened up or changed since 2020. Kim Petras is a trans artists who has had to experience prejudice from her label. As a trans artist, there was this feeling that it was difficult to market her. As this MTV article from 2019 explains, the artist (who released Clarity that same year) was in a position where the label had to ask whether it was lucrative and commercial being a transgender artist:
“Kim Petras's debut album, Clarity, which she released this past June, received high praise from critics. Reviews of the LP compared her to a range of notable acts, from Robyn and Lorde to Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. But if you're not very familiar with the 27-year-old rising artist, you may not know that she's actually unsigned. And yes, there's a reason for that. In a recent interview with V magazine, Petras opened up about her issues with major labels and her experience shopping for deals as a transgender artist.
First and foremost, the "Broken" singer takes issue with labels because she says, they tend to transform their artists into someone else completely. For her, that's always been a big fear. "I see so many unique and amazing people slowly become the 'LA pop girl group' that everyone becomes," she told the mag. "I'm really scared of that."
It became abundantly clear that she didn't want to attach herself to a label when she was first shopping around for deals. Petras called these industry meetings "really annoying," describing them as "a room full of people discussing, how do we market it? How do we keep it a secret? Debating if it's possible to be transgender and lucrative." Part of that, for Petras, was that being a woman in the music industry can be difficult. "I think only 10 percent of last year's nominees were women," she said. And on top of that, being trans meant she faced an additional set of challenges. "I've had a lot of meetings with labels where the only thing they're able to talk about is me being transgender, not even the music," she said.
The transphobia continued when music labels refused to work with her and implored others to do the same. "It was maybe two years ago when I was shopping for deals," she said. "Really religious people at major labels in LA have said: 'You're going to hell if you work with Kim Petras.'" Fortunately, she didn't need them to become the success that she is today. "I think this is the first time doing this independently would even be possible," she said. "Being a transgender artist wouldn't have been possible 10 years ago. Now is the time”.
If artists like Kendrick Lamar have brought the subject of transitioning into their music, how many other non-trans artists are talking about it? How much support is there from the industry at large? I am not sure what the situation is like in other countries, but it does seem that there is a lot of transphobia and discrimination around. Sam Smith recently discussed their experiences with transphobes and abuse. NME explain more:
“To celebrate the release of their fourth album, ‘Gloria’, Smith sat down with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe for an exhaustive interview; in addition to the album itself, the pair dove deep into topics like mental health, Smith’s recent trip to the White House, their appearance on Saturday Night Live, and their return to the touring circuit.
At one point in the chat, Lowe asked Smith how they’ve felt since their coming out; the singer first opened up about their transness in 2017, identifying theirself as genderqueer in an interview with The Sunday Times, before later coming out as non-binary (and updating their pronouns to they/them/theirs) in 2019.
Explaining how their life has changed since coming out, Smith told Lowe: “We’ve got two sides, really: my personal life and then my public life. And in my personal life, there’s not one negative. My family can communicate with me; they always did, but they communicate with me now in an even better way. My love life has become better from it – I feel loveable, I feel comfortable my skin, I wear what I want to wear.”
Smith went on to say they’ve ultimately felt “joy in abundance” as an openly non-binary person, and described coming out as “a coming home”. Nodding to a history with gender dysphoria, they continued: “I wish I knew what the words were when I was in school, because I would have identified as that in school because it is who I am, and it’s who I’ve always been”.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility happens on 31st March. The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is on 20th November. The latter was founded 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. I do hope that reading stories like Sam Smith’s compels greater action from the music industry. Great awareness and acceptance from people. Learning how so many trans artists (and people) are attacked and abused should shock enough to open up conversations. The industry needs to hear the stories of trans artists and promote their music more. I am not sure how difficult it is for trans artists to get a record deal and ensure that they are marketed effectively. I know the experience of Kim Petras is not isolated. In March, on International Transgender Day of Visibility, let’s hope that there is a drive towards greater inclusiveness. So many incredible trans artists out there are having to struggle to be heard and receive the same sort of spotlight as other artists. Music is weak when it is divided and artists cannot fully express themselves. Music is only at its absolute best and most inspiring…
PHOTO CREDIT: Lena Balk/Unsplash
WHEN there is total acceptance and inclusiveness.