Gavin Russom of LCD Soundsystem Comes Out as Transgender

Gavin Russom, the architect of the synth-y brilliance of LCD Soundsystem, has come out as transgender in an interview with Grindr’s online magazine, INTO, in a lengthy-but-lovely feature piece in which she discusses her new life and how she came to terms with her gender identity.

Russom says that she identified “along the feminine spectrum” from a young age, but just last year began her quiet transition into a woman. She says that, for now, she’ll be sticking with “Gavin” as her name, but that could change. She tells INTO that her bandmates have been “really supportive” of her decision to transition and believes that overall, her being herself will “make the band better” by allowing her to be more connected. Her connection is obvious in the band’s May performance on Saturday Night Live, smiling and jumping giddily while they debuted two new songs.

Russom also touched on issues that trans women face and how those issues are heightened in the Trump era. Almost immediately after Trump’s administration took office, the Departments of Education and Justice repealed guidelines passed under the Obama administration that allowed trans kids in public schools to use the bathroom of the gender in which they identify. Russom didn’t realize how much issues like using her preferred bathroom would affect her when she transitioned.

“I am someone who has spoken out on both women’s rights and trans rights for a long time,” Russom said. “But when I started to transition myself, that was one of the most shocking things. I’m carrying so many of these things around with me.”

While she still has her struggles, she’s excited to empower the trans community through her art, and we couldn’t be happier for her. To donate to and/or learn about organizations dedicated to trans rights, check out this list on GLAAD’s website.