Transcendence: A Showcase of Transgender and Non-binary Musical Luminaries
In honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility, which was established on March 31, 2009, here is a list of notable transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming persons who’ve made their mark on the music industry.
Chaz Bono (he/him)
Born on March 4, 1969, as Chastity Bono, Chaz Bono is an American actor, writer, and activist, best known for being the only child of famous musicians Sonny and Cher. He publicly shared his journey in his 2011 memoir “The End of Innocence” and through his documentary “Becoming Chaz.” Throughout his career, Bono has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked to raise awareness about the challenges faced by transgender individuals. He has also appeared in many TV shows and films, including “Dancing with the Stars.”
Chaz Bono & Lacey Schwimmer Samba
Mal Blum (they/them)
Blum is an American singer-songwriter, and LGBTQ+ activist known for their introspective lyrics and indie folk-rock sound. Their music often explores themes of identity, relationships, mental health, and self-discovery. Their work resonates with many for its vulnerability and authenticity. Blum’s albums, such as Pity Boy (2019) and The Future (2021), have earned them a dedicated following in the indie music scene. In addition to their music, Blum is known for their outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and gender inclusivity.
Mal Blum - Candy Bars & Men (Official Music Video)
Cidney Bullens (she/her)
Bullens is an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for her powerful voice and versatile music style. She first gained recognition as a backup singer for artists like Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Melissa Etheridge. Bullens’ solo career took off with her album Steal the Night in the 1980s, showcasing her pop and rock influences. Throughout her career she has worked in various musical genres, from pop to Americana, and has made significant contributions to the music industry. In addition to her musical achievements, Bullens has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has openly shared her journey as a transgender woman, inspiring many with her story of self discovery and acceptance.
Cidny Bullens: The Gender Line-Song Video
Ethel Cain (she/her)
Cain is a singer, songwriter, and producer known for her ethereal, haunting blend of gothic Americana, indie pop, and alternative country. Born and raised in the rural South, Cain’s music often explores themes of trauma, religion, identity, and the complexities of Southern life. Her debut album Preacher’s Daughter (2022), amassed critical acclaim for its cinematic storytelling and emotional depth. She, in interviews, has revealed that she was heavily influenced by her religious upbringing, not only in the content of her songs, but also stylistically.
“American Teenager,” one of Ethel Cain’s most popular songs, with over 85 million streams on Spotify, has received criticism for its anti-war and political/religious disillusionment themes. In a discussion about her music, she described that “Growing up, it was drilled into me and my siblings: Don’t let the flag touch the ground. Don't let it get dirty, or faded, or torn.” She then added “I have my cross necklace on, and I have my American flag t-shirt on–and I’m not a huge fan of either of them. [...] I just keep them as close to my heart as possible, in my own way of staying above them. I think that’s why I talk so much about them in my art, because it’s easier to get the upper hand: I’m not going to get rid of you, so I might as well have this power over you.” The song holds a unique fusion of dark, atmospheric production and raw, confessional lyricism.
“As I got older,” Cain recalled in an interview, “I found out there were other options [...] it was made clear to everyone that I was not like other people. Whenever I started to develop, I started to come into my own as a trans woman. We were a house divided–it was me versus my whole town.”
Laura Jane Grace (she/her)
Grace is most commonly known as the founder and lead singer of the punk rock band “Against Me!” She is widely recognized as being one of the most prominent transgender figures in punk music. She publicly came out as transgender in 2012 and explores her journey with gender identity in the band's album Transgender Dysphoria Blues which came out in 2014. Grace’s music can be described as a mix of raw, confessional lyrics with punk, rock, and folk influence. As a pioneering voice for both the LGBTQ+ community and the punk scene, Laura Jane Grace continues to inspire with her unapologetic authenticity and activism.
More recently, on March 7, 2025, she performed at Bernie Sanders “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here” rally. She played one of her newest songs “Your God (God’s D***)” and received heavy backlash for the performance. In response to the negativity she said, “I’m not being profane to be profane [...] If you refer to your God as he and him, but you will not refer to a transgender person with the pronouns that are theirs… that’s just insane. It’s such blatant hypocrisy.” She goes on to say that her song, “Your God (God’s D***)” “is the most relevant song I have right now to everything that’s going on [...]. It’s a straight-up protest song. I don’t know what else that event was supposed to be other than a protest rally.”
Laura Jane Grace & the Mississippi Medicals: Tiny Desk Concert
Ela Melo (she/her)
Melo is the lead vocalist of the indie rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Known for her powerful voice and emotionally charged performances, Ela’s music explores themes of love, identity, and self-acceptance. As a transgender woman, Ela has been open about their journey with gender identity, sharing their personal story of transitioning and embracing their authentic self. Through their visibility as a trans woman in the music industry, Ela has become an inspiration for fans around the world. Their vulnerability and honesty in both their music and public life has helped to change norms and create space for greater inclusivity in the indie and rock music scenes.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise–Austin City Limits Radio
Janelle Monáe (they/them)
Monáe is a critically acclaimed singer, producer, and actress known for their bold artistic vision. Throughout their career, Monáe has captivated audiences with their blend of funk, R&B, pop, and soul, often using their platform to address themes of identity, freedom, and empowerment. In 2018, Monáe publicly revealed that they identify as non-binary, sharing their journey toward self-discovery and embracing the idea that gender identity can be fluid and go beyond traditional labels. Monáe's openness about being non-binary has made them a powerful voice for the LGBTQ+ community, breaking barriers in the music and entertainment industries as well as inspiring others to embrace their authentic selves. Their work continues to challenge societal norms, celebrating individuality and pushing for greater acceptance of gender diversity.
Janelle Monáe - Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) [Official Music Video]
Sam Smith (they/them)
Smith is a British singer-songwriter known for their soulful voice and emotional ballads. They rose to fame in 2012 with the release of their debut single and gained international recognition with their hit “Stay With Me” in 2014. Over the years, they have earned multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Smith is openly non-binary and advocates for gender inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights. Their music, often focused on love, heartbreak, and self-identity, continues to resonate with a global audience.
Sam Smith - Unholy with Kim Petras (Live at Capital's Jingle Bell Ball 2022) | Capital
Billy Tipton (he/him)
Tipton was an American jazz musician and band leader, best known for being a transgender man who gained fame in the mid-twentieth century while presenting as a cisgender man. Tipton, in their early life, presenting as a woman, performed publicly, but did not gain traction until after their transition. His secret was kept until his death in 1989, when it was revealed that he was assigned female at birth. Tipton’s story challenged societal norms regarding gender identity and sexuality, and he remains an important figure to both the transgender and jazz communities.
Current Affair (Feb 13, 1989) - Billy Tipton's 60 Year Secret
Lil Uzi Vert (they/them)
Lil Uzi Vert is a groundbreaking rapper, singer, and songwriter known for their genre-blending style and boundary-pushing persona. Throughout their career, Uzi has been recognized for their unique approach to hip-hop, combining elements of rock, pop punk, and trap into their music. In recent years, Uzi has become an important figure within the LGBTQ+ community, publicly identifying as non-binary. They have openly discussed their fluid gender identity, rejecting traditional labels and embracing a more fluid expression of self. Uzi’s openness about their identity has helped spark conversations around gender and self-expression, particularly within hip-hop, a genre which has historically been less accepting of non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals. Through their music and personal journey, Lil Uzi Vert has become a trailblazer, inspiring fans with their authenticity and commitment to self-empowerment.
