Against Me! Singer Tom Gabel Reveals Transgender Identity

Tom Gabel, frontman of Florida punk rockers Against Me!, has candidly and bravely revealed to Rolling Stone that not only is she transgender, but she will begin the transition to become a woman, changing her name to Laura Jane Grace.

Gabel told the magazine that she has struggled with gender dysphoria for many years. Despite taking the medical steps to change gender from male to female, Gabel said she will remain married to his wife Heather. "For me, the most terrifying thing about this was how she would accept the news," Gabel said. "But she's been super-amazing and understanding."   

The singer is now living as a woman and is looking ahead to taking hormone treatments and undergoing electrolysis. Against Me! will begin touring with The Cult in May and will play New York's Terminal 5 on June 8.

"I'm going to have embarrassing moments," Gabel said, "and that won't be fun. But that's part of what talking to [Rolling Stone] is about – is hoping people will understand, and hoping they'll be fairly kind."  

Gabel has gently broached this struggle in music; Pitchfork has posted a video of the musician performing an unreleased song called "Transgender Dysphoria Blues," below.

Rolling Stone's full interview with Gabel will be available on newstands this Friday.