[johnsmith]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...ender-20120508

Against Me! singer Tom Gabel reveals plans to begin living as a woman in the new issue of Rolling Stone. Gabel, who has dealt privately with gender dysphoria for years, will soon begin the process of transition, by taking hormones and undergoing electrolysis treatments. Gabel will eventually take the name Laura Jane Grace, and will remain married to her wife Heather. "For me, the most terrifying thing about this was how she would accept the news," says Gabel. "But she's been super-amazing and understanding." Gabel only told a handful of family and friends about her plan to transition before talking to Rolling Stone. Because this is the first time a major rock star has come out as transgender, the singer made a point of speaking openly about it. "I'm going to have embarrassing moments," says Gabel, "and that won't be fun. But that's part of what talking to you is about – is hoping people will understand, and hoping they'll be fairly kind." The full story of Gabel's transformation is in the latest issue, on newsstands this Friday (May 11th). In it, the singer tells Josh Eells about her history of gender dysphoria, the specifics of the transition process and what becoming Laura Jane Grace will mean for the future of Against Me!

Hmm, this is interesting. I don't really know much about this, but will it affect her voice much? Against Me! are one of my favorite punk bands, it would be interesting to hear their classics with a difference voice.

[RoboPlato]

I was just coming to post this. It isn't too surprising considering a few of their songs but I'm seriously impressed at the outpouring of support from the community. Still remaining married to her wife really makes me smile. That's true love and shows that she married the right person.

[Selkies!]

I've been going through their discography, looking for stuff like this:

You wrote nightly in aspiration, of developing as an author. Confessing childhood secrets, of dressing up in women's clothes, Compulsions you never knew the reasons to

There's kind of a lot.

Happy to see Tom come out. It's clearly something that has been bothering her for a while. A couple of their older songs just got way better in retrospect. Maybe "better" isn't the best word for it. Maybe deeper.

I saw them last year and the show was great, even if their last 2 albums have been super disappointing. Hope to see them again after all this is over.

[RoboPlato]

I've been going through their discography, looking for stuff like this: There's kind of a lot. Happy to see Tom come out. It's clearly something that has been bothering her for a while. A couple of their older songs just got way better in retrospect. Maybe "better" isn't the best word for it. Maybe deeper. I saw them last year and the show was great, even if their last 2 albums have been super disappointing. Hope to see them again after all this is over.

In The Ocean there's a line "if I was a girl, my mother would have named me Laura." That's going to legally be her name now, which I find quite touching.

[Bumblebeetuna]

Forgive my ignorance but how does this work? Does the penis stay? How much like a normal vagina is it if the penis goes? I guess I'll read the article when I see the magazine. Whatever makes Gabel happy.

[Futureman]

Kind of crazy as a fan of her music.

Like... I guess her future stuff will eventually be sung with a female voice?

I'm totally cool with her coming out like this, gotta admit though it's quite shocking.

"if I was a girl, my mother would have named me Laura."

I've always loved that line and maybe my favorite Against Me! song.

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

Holy. Fucking. Shit. I've got a friend who is a huge fan of Gabel, can't believe this news o_O

Now I'm beginning to wonder what the hell is going to happen to the music... How is Gabel going to perform songs like Thrash Unreal or Baby I'm an Anarchist? Will she be changing her singing style?

[ATF487]

I'm a casual Against me! fan but this is really interesting. I don't know what to think, but I really want to read that article.

[Selkies!]

Like... I guess her future stuff will eventually be sung with a female voice?

Yea, I'm entirely ignorant to the process and effects it's going to have on Tom's voice. If this ends in a raspy female singer, singing what are still very much Tom Gabel folk punk lyrics I'm going to be kind of ecstatic.

[Doc Holliday]

Holy shit, for the longest time I thought Rise against and Against Me! where the same band lol. They sound exactly the same, wtf.

That's more shocking to me than the lead singer turning into a woman.

[Dragonzord]

Against Me's future records will suck. Gabel's throaty voice fits perfectly with the music.

It would be like dude from Hot Water Music changing his voice. It just won't work.

[johnsmith]

Holy shit, for the longest time I thought Rise against and Against Me! where the same band lol. They sound exactly the same, wtf.

Seriously? You might want to get your hearing checked

[Mully]

Good for him. I find it's always best to be honest with yourself. If that's what he wants to be, go for it.

[junesongprovider]

I've been going through their discography, looking for stuff like this: You wrote nightly in aspiration, of developing as an author. Confessing childhood secrets, of dressing up in women's clothes, Compulsions you never knew the reasons to

In The Ocean there's a line "if I was a girl, my mother would have named me Laura." That's going to legally be her name now, which I find quite touching.

I wonder if her mother is still alive. Because Laura really did grow up to be strong and beautiful like her.

Those are two of my favorite Against Me songs. Even more so now. I respect the shit out of her for doing this.

[bengraven]

I actually like Against Me though when I listen to rock it's usually female singers.

Now it's like it all works out...

[Tunavi]

This must be hard for...her. Tom's wiki page uses feminine pronouns already.

So bizarre, but good for...her...to come out about this. And the wife is still staying.

[moonspeak]

Their next album is gonna be interesting.

That's pretty cool though. Glad her wife is okay with the whole thing too.

Best of luck to her.

[Doc Holliday]

You really think this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzJ21OpFnZ0

doesn't sound like this at all?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8X3ACToii0&ob=av2n

I really thought it was the same singer at least. They even have "Against" in both of their names.

[Femmeworth]

Good for her. :)

[junesongprovider]

Against Me's future records will suck. Gabel's throaty voice fits perfectly with the music. It would be like dude from Hot Water Music changing his voice. It just won't work.

I'm cautiously optimistic about the band's future. The Rolling Stone news story specifically mentions that in the full interview, she talks about

the specifics of the transition process and what becoming Laura Jane Grace will mean for the future of Against Me!

And in any case, if the choice is between letting her be who she really is and getting more albums with the Tom Gabel voice I know and love, there isn't even a question. The fans can definitely take the hit if it means the artist can finally be happy.

And personally, if she keeps doing Against Me, I am really interested to see the result. It would still be the same person writing the music, just performed with a (presumably) different voice. If she ends up with a raspy female voice, it could be really cool to hear the old songs reinterpreted slightly.

[Buckethead]

Reinventing Tom Gabel

[Emitan]

Don't know who she is, but good for her!

[Femmeworth]

For those wondering, hormones don't usually have any effect on the vocal cords. Of course she can probably afford a vocal coach to help her develop a new voice.

[Dragonzord]

For those wondering, hormones don't usually have any effect on the vocal cords. Of course she can probably afford a vocal coach to help her develop a new voice.

Tom Gabel has a very deep, raspy voice. I can't imagine that being something he would want as a woman.

[junesongprovider]

This must be hard for...her. Tom's wiki page uses feminine pronouns already. So bizarre, but good for...her...to come out about this. And the wife is still staying.

The matter of pronouns really is an interesting side effect of the decision. Is it accurate to continue referring to Gabel as "him", since biologically nothing has been done yet? After all, the news is that Gabel intends to undergo a sex change. Or do we move on to "her" already? It seems a little soon, but Gabel has always been a woman psychologically, though biologically a man. So because of that, I err on the side of the female pronouns, if nothing else out of respect for her decision. It's an interesting ancillary problem when talking about her now.

Their next album is gonna be interesting. That's pretty cool though. Glad her wife is okay with the whole thing too. Best of luck to her.

Anyone know how the law will view her marriage after this? In reality, Heather's still her wife (and it's great that she's sticking around, that is really heartwarming) and nothing will change that as long as they love each other, no matter the gender. But depending on the state, female-female marriages aren't recognized. I guess the real question is: how does the law view transgendered people? Will Tom Gabel become a woman in the eyes of the law, or will the law still see her as a man who is now legally named Laura Jane Grace?

EDIT:

Forgive my ignorance but how does this work? Does the penis stay? How much like a normal vagina is it if the penis goes? I guess I'll read the article when I see the magazine. Whatever makes Gabel happy.

I am not an expert on the subject, but to my knowledge the medical science on this front is pretty advanced. I think that the penis essentially gets inverted, so that the same tissue is reformed into the corresponding female genitalia. That's what the sexual reassignment surgery aims to do. The hormone treatments take care of a lot of the other visible changes / secondary sex characteristics.

[Sadsic]

=) things like this make me like humanity. everyone be proud and out loud! im bisexual and probably genderqueer woo

[Selkies!]

They have the next record recorded already AFAIK. So that's not going to be affected by this. I mean, I'm sure it will be lyrical but, you know. I'm not really that concerned with their music going forward because well, I was kind of done with new AM! anyway, but if her voice changed and the old songs ... don't work anymore live that's going to be kind of a bummer. Optimistic about the future though.

Also, been thinking about this one. Was already probably my favorite AM! lyric ever:

And can you live with what you know about yourself, when you're all alone, behind closed doors, the things we never said but we always knew were right there. It's got me on my knees in a bathroom, praying to a god that I don't even believe in, "Dear Jesus... are you listening?"

[Emitan]

For those wondering, hormones don't usually have any effect on the vocal cords

I wish they did :(

[Dragonzord]

The wife thing is heartwarming, but I'm going to be a negative nancy and say they're not going to last. I'd like to be proven wrong, but I just can't imagine, and I hope the wife isn't scolded if she decides it's uncomfortable for her.

[Dr.Palutena]

Congrats to her!

[AlteredBeast]

So the honest question goes, and I am not trying to be insensitive here...but... is he straight now and will be considered gay once he becomes more physically a woman?

[shidoshi]

I've never heard of Against Me! nor its lead singer, but good for her. I have to imagine that it can be especially tough when you're somebody who is more well known than your average person.

Forgive my ignorance but how does this work? Does the penis stay? How much like a normal vagina is it if the penis goes? I guess I'll read the article when I see the magazine. Whatever makes Gabel happy.

I won't get into too specific details here, as it might freak some people out to hear the actual process. *laughs* Basically, the male genitalia is used to fashion female genitalia, and if you go to a reputable doctor, you can end up with something that you'd never know wasn't from-birth unless you were told.

If anybody has any other general (or specific) questions about this whole transgender thing, and would really like to learn more (either out of curiosity or just wanted to better get an understanding of what's going on with Gabel), then I encourage you to head over to the TransGAF thread. You can just read about the experiences of trans members on here, or you can feel free to ask whatever question you may have.

So the honest question goes, and I am not trying to be insensitive here...but... is he straight now and will be considered gay once he becomes more physically a woman?

Sexual preference and gender identity are two totally different things, but if Gabel identifies as a woman and likes women, then technically she's a lesbian. It's understandable, though, that that question can get a little complex for those who don't have a full grasp on the situation.

[Emitan]

So the honest question goes, and I am not trying to be insensitive here...but... is he straight now and will be considered gay once he becomes more physically a woman?

She is a lesbian. I've heard just the act of recognizing you're trans or the hormones can change one's sexuality though.

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

For those wondering, hormones don't usually have any effect on the vocal cords. Of course she can probably afford a vocal coach to help her develop a new voice.

Gabel's vocals are really harsh and throaty, as a man, she did a hell of a lot of screaming/yelling on AM!'s songs, and I can't imagine her voice being feminine at all. At best, maybe she'd sound similar to Brody from the Distillers or something. I know I'll really miss that passionate element of their music if she has to dial down her voice for future songs :/

[Charmicarmicat]

Keith Caputo from Life Of Agony did the same not too long ago, don't know if that got covered in a thread.

[johnsmith]

You really think this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzJ21OpFnZ0 doesn't sound like this at all? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8X3ACToii0&ob=av2n I really thought it was the same singer at least. They even have "Against" in both of their names.

If you never listen to punk, there could be some similarities. But punk is a super broad genre, and to someone that listens to plenty of it (or used to) they sound very different to me. Especially since I've been listening to them since the beginning, and their older stuff sounds a bit different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wkZGMktFCw

Though yeah, there are probably tons of rappers and country singers that I'd confuse.

[Dragonzord]

You marry a person, not their gender.

I would argue that Tom Gabel and Laura are not the same person otherwise she would not feel the need to make this change.

[Emitan]

I would argue that Tom Gabel and Laura are not the same person otherwise she would not feel the need to make this change.

Well as someone who is transgendered I would say that is incorrect.

[KO Traveling Hobo]

You marry a person, not their gender.

Your gender is a part of who you are, though.

[junesongprovider]

I would argue that Tom Gabel and Laura are not the same person otherwise she would not feel the need to make this change.

It's more that Tom has always been Laura, but has never had the biology to match.

http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevision...n.aspx?rid=482

[Smithy C]

Just saw this on Twitter. Pretty surprised, but super brave to come out in such a public way.

[Emitan]

Your gender is a part of who you are, though.

And Tom was always a woman even if she didn't realize it.

It's more that Tom has always been Laura, but has never had the biology to match.

Yes, this. I didn't suddenly turn into another person when I realized I was trans.

[TheSeks]

You marry a person, not their gender.

Maybe if you're a liberal minded person, but no offense: Most people marry a person based on their gender/looks and attraction. If someone I loved and married suddenly decided they were straight or female: You can be damn sure I'd feel a bit betrayed and shocked and confused and wondering if those years were a lie or wasted or things like that. It happens. Not everyone can take it in stride like his (soon, her) wife.

[Alligatorjandro]

St Augustine huh?Cant say ive heard of the band though.

Thats good for her.Everyone has a right to be happy.

[fireside]

The matter of pronouns really is an interesting side effect of the decision. Is it accurate to continue referring to Gabel as "him", since biologically nothing has been done yet? After all, the news is that Gabel intends to undergo a sex change. Or do we move on to "her" already? It seems a little soon, but Gabel has always been a woman psychologically, though biologically a man. So because of that, I err on the side of the female pronouns, if nothing else out of respect for her decision. It's an interesting ancillary problem when talking about her now.

It would be both inaccurate and disrespectful to use male pronouns, even when talking about her past. What someone has done or intends to do or not do is irrelevant; she’s stated that she identifies as a woman, and that’s all you need to know.

[impact]

Good for Laura, I'm proud of her

[WoodenLung]

Never heard of the band but good on him* for being brave about it.

*I say him because the article says he plans to start living as woman, not doing it yet. Not trying to be a insensitive dick.

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

I want to hear Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart with Tom Gabel's original vocals intact and Tegan's vocals replaced by Lauren Gabel. That would be interesting...

[shidoshi]

The matter of pronouns really is an interesting side effect of the decision. Is it accurate to continue referring to Gabel as "him", since biologically nothing has been done yet? After all, the news is that Gabel intends to undergo a sex change. Or do we move on to "her" already? It seems a little soon, but Gabel has always been a woman psychologically, though biologically a man. So because of that, I err on the side of the female pronouns, if nothing else out of respect for her decision. It's an interesting ancillary problem when talking about her now.

There's two sides to this.

First, for those still calling Gabel "him" but being respectful of her decision and who she is, we need to be careful about jumping on such people for their pronoun use. The whole transgender topic can be very, very complicated, and not everybody is always going to understand it. So, I think there's care that need to be taken in saying that it may be offensive to still refer to Gabel with male pronouns.

At the same time, for those who do have some experience with the transgender topic, it's very typical to refer to a person via the pronouns of the gender they identify with, no matter if they've started transitioning or not. The belief is that what's most important about us isn't our body, but our hearts and minds. So, if those aspects of us are one particular gender, it doesn't matter what sex our body still is.

Really, though, I think the first major step is just making sure that we're being respectful to the person in question. So long as people are showing that respect, then we can deal with the final points of the situation in an informative, but not condescending manner.

Also, I can't really fault people for using the pronouns that fit the sex the person in question still presents as, unless that person has specifically asked for the use of the opposite sex of pronouns. Once Gabel begins transitioning, or asks for only female pronouns to be used in reference to her, then I find it unfortunate if anybody refers to her as a him. At this point, however, I don't find those still referring to Gabel as male to be meaningfully offensive.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Absolutely. The feelings of both people need to be considered when a marriage is involved, and unfortunately more often than not there's no winning solution.

[Femmeworth]

You marry a person, not their gender.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.