Kim Petras recently made history by becoming the first transgender woman to win a Grammy for Best Pop Duo Performance.
Amazing, right!?
This got me thinking about other MTF transgender singers who deserve recognition.
So, in this blog post, I present to you 10 trans singers and their top music videos, all of which are definitely worth a listen.
But first, I want to recognize Wendy Carlos as the first trans woman to win a Grammy in 1970.
Though not technically a singer, Wendy Carlos is a pioneer of electronic music, best known for the scores to A Clockwork Orange, Tron and The Shining.
Check out her interview above and then enjoy the music videos below!
1. Kim Petras
Kim Petras is a German pop singer-songwriter who gained prominence through her singles “I Don’t Want It at All” and “Heart to Break.”
She became one of the youngest people to undergo gender confirmation surgery at the age of 16 and has since become an outspoken advocate for trans rights.
Kim Petras made history in February 2023 by becoming the the first openly transgender artist to receive a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Unholy” with Sam Smith.
2. Breanna Sinclairé
Breanna Sinclairé is an American opera singer who made history as the first openly transgender person to perform with the San Francisco Opera.
She trained at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and she was the first transgender person to perform the National Anthem at a professional sporting event.
Breanna has also been recognized for her activism and advocacy for the transgender community.
3. Lucia Lucas
Lucia Lucas is an American-born opera singer who made history as the first transgender opera singer to come out publicly in 2014.
She has performed with major opera companies, including the English National Opera in London, the Met Opera in New York, and the Deutsche Oper Berlin in Germany.
Lucia has been praised for her powerful and expressive voice, as well as her dedication to advancing representation of transgender people in the arts.
4. Shea Diamond
Shea Diamond is an American singer-songwriter who gained attention for her soulful and poignant music, including her debut single “I Am Her.”
She grew up in a tough environment and spent time in prison before turning her life around through music.
Shea has used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has been recognized for her activism.
5. Teddy Geiger
Teddy Geiger is an American singer-songwriter who gained popularity in the mid-2000s with hits such as “For You I Will (Confidence)” and “These Walls.”
In 2017, she publicly came out as transgender and has since been an advocate for trans visibility and acceptance.
Teddy has also co-written songs for other artists, including Shawn Mendes and One Direction.
6. Laura Jane Grace
Laura Jane Grace is an American musician and activist who is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the punk band Against Me!.
She publicly came out as transgender in 2012 and has since been a vocal advocate for the trans community.
Laura Jane Grace has been recognized for her songwriting and her contributions to the punk music scene.
7. SOPHIE
The late SOPHIE, whose full name was Sophie Xeon, was a Scottish musician, producer, and DJ who was known for her innovative electronic music.
The Grammy-nominated singer and producer also graced the cover of OUT Magazine as “Artist of the Year.”
SOPHIE was an influential figure in the music industry and was recognized for her contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. She tragically passed away in 2021 at the age of 34.
8. Ah-Mer-Ah-Su
The Oakland-based songwriter Ah-Mer-Ah-Su (also known as Star Amerasu) is an American singer-songwriter and producer who creates music that blends elements of pop, R&B, and experimental electronic music.
She has been recognized for her unique sound and her advocacy for trans and gender non-conforming people of color.
9. KC Ortiz
KC Ortiz is an American rapper and songwriter who gained attention for her powerful and socially conscious lyrics.
She has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ and feminist issues and has worked with various organizations to promote social justice.
Ortiz has also been recognized for her activism and her dedication to creating positive change.
10. Anohni
Anohni is a British-American singer-songwriter who is known for her haunting and ethereal music.
She rose to prominence as the lead singer of the band Antony and the Johnsons before embarking on a successful solo career.
Anohni has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues. She has also been recognized for her contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.
Additional Mentions
I’ve received some great suggestions for additional MTF transgender singers to add to this list. You’ll find their names and videos below. (Keep the suggestions coming, ladies!)
Jordan Gray
Mina Caputo from Life of Agony
Who are YOUR Favorite Transgender Singers?
As you can see, there are so many amazing MTF transgender musicians and singers who deserve recognition. I hope you enjoyed the list and music videos above.
Now I’d love to hear from YOU. Who are your favorite transgender singers? Please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
transformation tips?
Alice Low is a great up-and-coming Welsh singer/songwriter with a very unique style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myRBpeTo_-M
And US band Thus Love is a band whose three members all identify as transgender. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IYnshlSkB4
On a more local to Minnesota level, Jendeen Forberg is a drummer and leads the Wolverines Jazz Band. Aside from jazz, she also plays metal as well as performing at her church. She is also part of the musicians performing at several local venues such as the Chanhassen Dinner Theater and Crooners Lounge.