“Outlaw country” often evokes a certain rough-and-tumble (cis white) dude — The kind of person who doesn’t take any shit and isn’t interested in conforming to Music Row’s ideals of what it means to “be country.” Although Music City indicated its rejection of the first Trump administration’s policies with louder representation of trans and other marginalized artists, those doors appear to be swinging shut again. Under proposed policies from President Trump’s administration, the term “outlaw” country could become literal for queer country artists.
In the moments following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, far-right influencers, Trump, and the FBI, blamed “Antifa” and trans people for the murder. (Kirk’s last utterance was a spurious claim about the prevalence of trans shooters and “Black on Black” violence.) Though those claims weren’t based on evidence, they’ve become a flashpoint of violence and discord, weaponized against minority, queer, and particularly trans people.
As Ken Klippenstein reported last week, the FBI is seeking to label transgender people as “violent extremists.” On Thursday, President Trump signed the national security directive NSPM-7, which includes on a list of extremists — anyone who espouses “anti-capitalism,” “anti-Christianity,” “extremism on gender,” or “hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on morality.” And for months already, trans people’s rights to life-saving healthcare and even participation in everyday life, have been increasingly limited at the federal, state, and local levels.
Trans and queer musicians within country and Americana have always struggled heroically against this political and social hostility, and fought for recognition in an artistic community that is often hesitant to accept them.. Now, It’s more important than ever to acknowledge everyone’s humanity. Here are a few of my recent favorites:
