For the first time in American history, a famous rock star has come out as transgender. Tom Gabel, lead singer of Against Me! has revealed in the latest issue of Rolling Stone that he has been privately dealing with gender dysphoria for years and is ready to begin his male-to-female transitional process by taking hormones and undergoing electrolysis treatments.
This is his first time talking publicly about his decision, having told only a handful of family and friends, including his wife, Heather, who he intends to stay married to. “For me, the most terrifying thing about this was how she was going to accept the news,” he says. “But she’s been super amazing and understanding.” He feels compelled to speak out about his transition because of his position in the public eye. “I’m going to have embarrassing moments, and that won’t be fun. But that’s a part of what talking to you [Rolling Stone] is about — is hoping people will understand and hoping they’ll be fairly kind.”
Once he’s started his transition, Gabel will go by the name Laura Jane Grace.
Listen to the lyrics of “The Ocean,” where Gabel sings about his dreams of being born a girl named Laura and growing up to be strong and beautiful like his mother. “There is an ocean in my soul where the waters do not curve.”
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