Tranny by Laura Jane Grace, a Punk Rock Story We Should All Read and Respect
With rainbow flags in major metropolitan areas and in neighborhoods, you’d think that the war on gender equality would be over. As we all know, that isn’t true. The “suicide rate and suicidal tendencies among transgender person are considerably high compared to general population.” People are suffering to say the least, thanks to individuals eager to control our lives with rules and expectations. They view freedom of expression as opposition to their livelihoods imposing fear to any unwilling to open their eyes. Leaving some to be vilified and forced to suppress their feelings to appease these so-called “normal” people.
On the other side of the spectrum, you see that people who received gender-affirming care saw “a 60% decrease in moderate and severe depression.” People like Laura Jane Grace, lead singer of the band Against Me! and writer of the book Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout. I love this book. I love it because it shows you exactly what someone who has battled with gender dysphoria their entire life goes through.
I picked up the book hearing it is one of the best punk rock autobiographies around. The writing is superb, and you will even see journal entries from Laura Jane Grace that provide complete transparency into both her decision and what is going on with her in her own mind. It humbled me and allowed me to take a firm decision about my side of the fight when it comes to gender equality. Take a look at this quote for example:
“If this was the way I felt when I was 8, and the way I felt when I was 13, and the way I felt when I was 15, and the way I felt when I was 20, 25, 28, and still now at 31, then this is going to be the way I’m going to feel forever.”
Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout by Laura Jane Grace
I’ve read this countless times beyond just in Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout. That our sexual identity and gender identity is something that we feel early on. Knowing that, knowing how you feel about yourself and the feelings I assume you felt about yourself when you were a child – can you deny someone else their right to be themselves? I cannot.
Please know, Laura Jane Grace‘s decision was not a flip-of-the-switch type of situation. It’s not like she went from sad to happy. Life is never that easy. It took bravery and courage for her to do what she did. By reading her book, you see the entire process and it is one we should all understand. From every punk rocker to the racist bigots making policies.
Speaking of punk rockers, you are praised and judged within the book. Praised for the community of openness, and judged when that community fails to live up to its name. If you consider yourself punk, I believe you should read this book with curiosity. These musicians we go and see are humans. And hopefully reading some of the stories where fans were less than pleasant might humble you.
