Punk Rock Star Comes Out as Trans in Rolling Stone

Cass Bird photographed Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! for Rolling Stone

Lead singer of the punk band Against Me! comes out as a transgender woman in the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone. Laura Jane Grace, who used to be known as Tom Gabel, tells writer Josh Eells about her transition, her experience with gender dysphoria and what this means for Against Me! (a band that Grace started when she was just 17 years old, in 1997, in Naples, Fla.).

Grace reportedly dealt with her gender dysphoria for years, and before talking with Rolling Stone, she had only divulged her feelings — and her desire to transition — to a handful of friends and family, including her wife, Heather. She told the magazine she felt it was important to be a role model because of the visibility of the band and the rarity of openly trans musicians. 

The punker also said that she and Heather plan to remain married, telling Eells, "For me, the most terrifying thing about this was how she would accept the news. But she's been super-amazing and understanding."

The issue hits newsstands and iPads Friday.