Trans Anger

Trans Anger
by Raven Usher
Occasionally Diversity Newsmagazine receives books, movies or music releases from distributors that specialize in LGBT products and/or publications. Recently I received an audio CD of Athens Boys Choir’s newest release, “Rhapsody in T” from Daemon Records.
Athens Boys Choir consists of two female to male “gender benders” (their words). Rocket and Katz present a series of spoken prose on everything from the president and politics to social prejudices to personal experience. “Writing is our hobby, passion, and therapy. In a world where there are always new questions, new wrongs, and new calls for revolution, there is hardly a lack of things to write about,” the duo says in their press pack.
Being transsexual myself, I was rather excited to see a CD written and performed by transgendered artists. It is my personal belief that the “T” of LGBT gets far too little press. I eagerly stuffed the CD down my boom-box’s throat and poured the voices of Athens Boys Choir out over the room. After listening to the CD, one thing was quite clear. These guys are pissed off!
Rocket and Katz are angry that society does not openly accept trans-folk. They are angry that the government does not pass laws to protect us. And they are angry that big religion demonizes us. As disappointed as I was that “Rhapsody in T” did not have a more positive outlook, I could not deny that trans-anger has become common place.
Transgendered people are angry that even gay and lesbian activists who fight for legislation that guarantees them the right to be themselves leave gender expression out of their proposed bills that would let transfolk be themselves until trans-activists point out yet another exclusion. T’s are angry about having to hide in the shadows. They are mad at having to live in fear of violence and discrimination. If the trans community gets any angrier we are going to reach a whole new dimension of pissedivity.
That kind of anger is not healthy. It is bad for the individuals who feel it. It is bad for the community that must endure it. It is bad for the society that does not understand us to see it. And it is bad for the activists who are battling to secure our rights when they have to combat negativity from the very people they are fighting to protect.
It is hard enough to educate people on a severely confusing subject when the people involved are amicable and welcoming. Angry, confrontational people trying to force the subject on others only galvanizes their resistance. The trans community needs to get over its anger and realize that this is not a fight we can win by force. This is not football. It is chess. And to win we need strategy, finesse, awareness and most importantly... patience.
Despite the propagation of anger that “Rhapsody in T” promotes, Rocket and Katz do touch on a number of important social issues that require attention. They also vividly demonstrate the similarities between today’s fight for LGBT rights and the fight for civil rights in the 50’s and 60’s. A fact that anti-gay organizations continue to deny or claim is purely a coincidence.
As a member of the trans community I am able to identify with the issues brought up in “Rhapsody in T.” In particularly, the “dick not jane” piece spoken by Rocket captured my attention. The artistic value of the spoken prose was a refreshing change from the too loud pounding bass lines that infect popular music today.
As much as I am able to identify with “Rhapsody in T” and expect that other trans folk will as well, I doubt that anyone who has not known the hardships of transgendered life will understand it. The sharp, explicit imagery of the work is just too specific and it lacks a common reference point for even gay and lesbian listeners, not to mention the straights. Props to Athens Boys Choir for the artistic prose. But how about toning down the pissed off angle.
“Rhapsody in T” is available for purchase at www.daemonrecords.com.