If Janis Joplin was pretty you’d have Laura Jane Grace.
Laura Jane Grace
She has that wonderful raspy voice, earthy stance and deep sensitivity of Janis when she’s singing. Laura began her music career in punk rock. The genre answered her needs of rebellion against society at large and her portrayed gender in particular. She freed herself in 2012. She still leads her band “Against Me” in the recording studio where they record under their own label called Total Treble Music and on the road touring the US in concerts. Their solid fan base have been buying their 6 plus albums and attending concerts since 2005.
Laura has a colourful back story full of struggle and strife with the “authorities”. Now that she has released herself from gender bondage she seems to be taking a more positive approach to making it right. She recently recorded a “back yard session” with Miley Cyrus and Joan Jett to raise funds for Miley’s newly founded charity Happy Hippie Foundation established to provide shelter and other benefits to homeless transgendered youths.
Although Laura’s transition has really just begun, she seems really comfortable with who she is on the outside. Laura continues to be a devoted father to her daughter and works with her wife to raise their little girl with love and support.
I encourage you to read about Laura in Rolling Stone Magazine and other similar publications and hear her music. Laura Jane Grace is a pleasure to listen to and exciting to watch on stage. Her songs are meaningful and she’s showing up as a force for good.
Really interesting stuff, Stephanie… I’d actually never heard of Against Me! but your article about Laura Jane inspired me to look her up on Wiki, and to watch her interview with George Stroumboulopoulos on YouTube. What an amazing individual.
I also noticed on your Trans Models page that Caroline Cossey (“Tula”) is there at number 4… One of my little ‘claims to fame’ is that I went to high school in Montreal with her husband, David. I remember living in London (having moved there in ’90) and seeing an article in The News of The World about her wedding – and there was my old pal, David Finch! Oh My God!
Anyway, great article, and great site. Keep up the excellent work!
Hi Mark, That’s great that you were inspired to seek more info about Laura Jane Grace. She and her ilk are the color in an otherwise very drab society. Do you agree with my parallel drawn between Laura and Janis? Thanks also for your comments on my trans model list. As you can see it’s all a work in progress but I’m glad you like the skeleton so far. I too was raised in Montreal and attended Malcolm Campbell High. Thanks so much for visiting and your kind encouragement to continue.
Really interesting stuff, Stephanie… I’d actually never heard of Against Me! but your article about Laura Jane inspired me to look her up on Wiki, and to watch her interview with George Stroumboulopoulos on YouTube. What an amazing individual.
I also noticed on your Trans Models page that Caroline Cossey (“Tula”) is there at number 4… One of my little ‘claims to fame’ is that I went to high school in Montreal with her husband, David. I remember living in London (having moved there in ’90) and seeing an article in The News of The World about her wedding – and there was my old pal, David Finch! Oh My God!
Anyway, great article, and great site. Keep up the excellent work!
It’s a real pluresae to find someone who can think like that
Hey there
Great article by the way, I would like to say I found the way you wrote very easy to understand, which for me is uncommon so good one for that. thanks.
I love the happy hippie environment and people she defo seems like a fun girl to hang out with
I found some great tips and useful pointer to take away with me from this article, for that reason I will save this site in my browser and will return for some more juicy info at a later date.
thank you.
~Jack
Hi Jack, Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment. I’m glad you like my writing style, that’s half the battle. Laura Jane Grace is a colourful figure and a force to be reckoned with. I’m interested to know which tips and pointers you took from this article. I’m glad to know that you intend to visit again. There is so much to learn about these fascinating women. See you again.
Stephanie
It was very interesting to read about Laura Jane here on your site. She sounds like the type of artist that I would enjoy as I’ve always enjoyed the folky, bluesy types like Janis.
I also think it’s really important to have a page like this dedicated to important trans people as we as a society still have a long way to go in ensuring that trans people have the same rights as everyone else. Pages like yours will only help speed things along.
Where is the best place to look to listen to samples of Laura Jane’s music?
Laura Jane’s band is punk rock called Against Me! She personally reminds me of Janis Joplin, the person, not so much the music style. Go here to listen to LJ’s music https://soundcloud.com/tags/laura jane grace
Thanks for the encouragement and approval of my website. I’m enjoying learning and writing about these extraordinary people. Their achievements are monumental enough without having to do it with the shame and disapproval of society at large. They are truly heroic. Please visit again.
Stephanie