Throughout history, transgender, intersex, and gender-queer (TIGQ) singers have faced unique challenges, but they have also made extraordinary contributions to music. From paving the way for greater visibility in both classical and popular music to breaking barriers on global stages, these artists have transformed the way we understand identity and art.
One of the earliest examples is Billy Tipton, a jazz musician who lived as a man for several decades, challenging gender expectations during a time when conformity was the norm. His story, which wasn’t fully known until after his passing, highlights both the struggles and complexities of living as a transgender person in a society that didn’t easily accept identities outside of the traditional gender binary.
In classical and experimental music, Wendy Carlos made a lasting impact. A transgender composer, Carlos broke new ground with her pioneering work in electronic music, particularly with her album Switched-On Bach. Her innovative use of synthesizers not only changed the landscape of classical music but also opened doors for other transgender artists in the experimental music field. Over the years, Carlos has become a role model for many generations of transgender and intersex musicians, showing that art has the power to transcend gender barriers.
In popular music, artists like Laura Jane Grace, lead singer of the punk band Against Me!, have been trailblazers in representing transgender people in music. Grace, challenging the norms of the rock industry and becoming a role model for other transgender individuals. Similarly, Teddy Geiger, a transgender singer-songwriter, has used her voice not only to create popular music but also to inspire others with her bravery and authenticity.
Contemporary music has seen artists like Anohni, who was nominated for an Academy Award, and Shea Diamond, who have used their music to address social justice, human rights, and the fight for visibility. Anohni, in particular, has been praised for her emotional and activist approach, combining art and activism in a powerful statement of identity, while Shea Diamond has been known for her authenticity and commitment to transgender representation in music.
These stories are not just examples of artistic success—they also represent historic moments when TIGQ voices have begun to be heard loud and clear. Each of these artists has helped shift the way society understands gender and music, paving the way for future generations of transgender, intersex, and gender-queer singers.
Free Open Call for Singers: New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus
If you are a trans, intersex or non-binary person with a passion for singing, we invite you to join the New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus! This is a mixed-voice choir that welcomes singers of all experience levels, from beginners to professionals.
Founded in 2018, New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus is a mixed-voice choral ensemble for singers who self-identify as transgender, intersex, non-binary or or gender-queer. Based at CMC, the chorus lifts up our community’s strength and struggle, joyfully upending gendered conventions in choral music. NVBA strives to build a creative and empowered space for our TIGQ community, encourage voices that have been silenced or shamed, and change how the world thinks about gender identity and singing. NVBA debuted in 2018 at San Francisco’s Trans Day of Remembrance, and has since sung at, among others, the National AIDS Memorial, the Fresh Meat and Yerba Buena Gardens Festivals, and the Billboard Music Awards, and has collaborated with many Bay Area organizations to perform music ranging from funk and soul to Bach. Featured on NPR and in the SF Chronicle, the chorus welcomes all TIGQ singers, without audition. There is no cost to participate.
If you’re looking for a creative outlet, a supportive community, or simply an opportunity to sing, the New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus is for you. No audition required, and the choir director is bilingual in Spanish and English, making it accessible to a diverse group of participants.
Join us and let your voice be heard! For more information or to sign up, contact us today. Together, we will continue to amplify the strength, beauty, and diversity of the TIGQ community through the transformative power of music.