Trans Justice for Trans Artists

As you may know, Bandcamp is donating 100% of its own proceeds today to the Transgender Law Center. But why not make sure 100% of your whole purchase goes to trans* people? Like any artist, trans* people struggle financially of course. But they face the added burdens of job and housing discrimination (still not federally protected and that’s obviously not going to change in this administration) not to mention healthcare costs if they’re medically transitioning. (Please correct me if I’ve used the wrong term!) Below is a list of trans* artists or bands with trans* members I’ve featured here on the blog. Of course, it’s incomplete and perhaps other artists I’ve written about have transitioned since. Including hyperlinks to the full reviews would be onerous but feel free to check out the tags. Please let me know!

Dyke Drama is the solo project of the lead singer of G.L.O.S.S. I’ve written before about her impassioned and tortured songs.

Ryan Cassata has made a name for himself on YouTube and as a leading young queer activist. Don’t let that music pedigree fool you — Cassata has a whole lot of heart that shines through in his expertly produced songs.

Jesus and His Judgmental Father’s “Kings and Queens” is easily one of my favorite songs in over 1000 entries worth of music. This is a truly excellent album.

Not much more praise needs to be praised on Hurray For the Riff Raff but it should be. Former member Yosi Perlstein is gender non-conforming.

Shawna Virago’s impish Heaven-Sent Delinquent is a real pleasure.

Marca Cassity’s Songs From the Well is a gorgeous examination of her Two Spirit and Osage identities and one of those rare albums that’s truly a postcard from the soul.

I haven’t had a chance to listen to Audre Other Way’s album yet (recording here under Little Waist) but her set at the Another Country festival brought me to my knees. Do you like Micah Schnabel? You’ll like Little Waist.

There’s a very long list of other artists and labels who are donating their proceeds to trans* organizations as well, so if you’ve been sitting on an album for a while the proceeds are almost guaranteed to go to a good cause. But I wanted to use this entry to highlight artists whom I know are trans*. However, I’d love to give a huge shoutout to Jamie at Audio Antihero Records, a very small label for whom a lost day’s worth of income has a huge impact on (as opposed to SubPop or ATO.)  As I’ve said before, frog has made one of the best albums about New York City out there.