In (yet another) year where\u00a0coverage of trans lives vacillated between stories of hyper-visible trans people – wealthy “success” stories, wearied activists and advocates, public artists struggling through waves of aggression and hate – and mournful eulogies (22 trans women of color were murdered in 2017), it’s easy for some to forget that trans lives are, after all, lives. Paying attention to the minutia of trans days \u2013 the boredom filled, plans made, and art created \u2013 means extending empathy to those that many see only as dead or decorated bodies.<\/p>\n
Binaried interest in trans lives is mirrored and facilitated by the two days each year set aside to think about them \u2013 Trans Day of Remembrance and Trans Day of Visibility. But trans folks need to be more than remembered or rendered visible. They need to be supported daily, given access to the resources and tools needed for survival.\u00a0And so much of the art I loved in 2017 was made by trans folks.<\/p>\n
Defining “trans artist” as an individual musician or band with one or more trans or non-binary members, I’ve collected ten 2017 albums I want to share with everyone I know. As I wrote about these releases I love, my chest expanded to be tender and open \u2013 my self filled with the deep and satisfying strength which comes from meaningful art. In other words, I felt very !!!!! while writing this list, and I hope listening to these artists will spark the same feeling in you.<\/p>\n
Aye Nako – Silver Haze<\/strong><\/p>\n