9:15 pm - 05/08/2012
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!
Here's a before photo:
source
I wish her the best of luck. It's not going to be easy in terms of peoples acceptance, especially in that scene. I'm already seeing ignorant comments cropping up, people thinking this is funny and saying awful things about how this is bad for her daughter. I hope all the support she gets trumps the negativity.
Tom Gabel of Against Me! Comes Out as Transgender
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!
Here's a before photo:
source
I wish her the best of luck. It's not going to be easy in terms of peoples acceptance, especially in that scene. I'm already seeing ignorant comments cropping up, people thinking this is funny and saying awful things about how this is bad for her daughter. I hope all the support she gets trumps the negativity.
I know some girls that cannot pass and have resorted to going back to being men because they couldn't cope with the stares, nasty comments and negative reactions. I would love to be supportive but since I know what's in store for Tom this will not be an easy road at all. I just prefer he seeks out a professional that's understands the Harry Benjamin Dysphoria guidelines.
Edited at 2012-05-09 04:27 am (UTC)
that's so awful and sad :(
The whole point I've been making has been you must go through therapy prior to transitioning. Anyone that has followed the Benjamin Dysphoria guidelines understands this. Tom does not talk about any therapy or counseling which is number one priority.