From movies and TV to fashion and sports, trans people are beginning to make a mark. Music might finally be next. If you think the entertainment industry’s attitudes toward trans people aren’t changing, think again. In September, Everlast, boxing’s industry leader, selected Patricio Manuel, the first transgender boxer to compete professionally, to sponsor its “Be First” ad campaign. In August, Victoria’s Secret hired Valentina Sampaio as its first transgender model. And in June, Pose star Indya Moore became Elle magazine’s first transgender cover star. While trans women and men have been breaking through in industries from movies and television to fashion and sports, music remains an exception. Laura Jane of punk rock group Against Me! landed on the Billboard 200 in 2011, but that was before her transition. Lucas Silveira, lead singer of Canadian band the Cliks, became the first transgender lead singer to be signed to a major label, but he hasn’t made much noise since his signing, in 2007. Now, there are signs that the music landscape might be about to catch up. |