Some of the artists in the big room are trans; others are allies.
The overall vibe is one of community.
Just tonally, lyrically, thematically, I think its so powerful, Kaye Loggins, a.k.a.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Sam Smith in the studioEleanor Petry*
Time Wharp, says when the song ends.
Everyone in the room agrees.
Its definitely put a fire under us to really push forward with the project.
)Related ContentBeing Trans in Country Is Dangerous.
We need to look to trans people as leaders, Bell tellsRolling Stone.
We need to give trans people their rightful due in society.
And we need trans people to be integrated into society.
I was lamenting the gifts that the world was going to lose out on with Sophie, Reid says.
I just thought that Sophie prematurely passing was like losingArthur Russellall over again, he adds.
I feel like if Arthur was alive today, hed be producing for all the best artists.
Dear Sade, she wrote.
The support youve publicly given your son has been transformative.
She wrote, your voice would resonate so powerfully.
Sades management replied and said the artist was moved byTransasnarrative framework and would send a song.
But the Red Hot team wasnt prepared for the emotional impact of Young Lion.
I was in tears because it just was so…
Her voice felt so charged, Bell says.
Another person who didnt know what to expect from the song was Sades son.
My mum never tried to oppress the boy I silently always knew I was.
She always let me be me.
Sades participation also piqued other artists interests.
OTHER MUSICIANS REACTIONS toTransahave been similarly positive.
And then I heard Sade is doing it what the fuck?
he says, approvingly, on a Zoom.
Its a somatic thing, he says.
I feel that song in my body, like an energy.
They reconnected about six months later and broached the idea of Hadreas collaborating with Sparhawk on a song.
Hadreas ended up singing Parkers part for the gauzy, surrealTransarendition of Point of Disgust.
He sings it really beautifully, Sparhawk says on a call.
Michael sings the song with pure love.
Auder sings the words with conviction, and her interpretation is a little more dream-pop than Princes.
Im from Montreal but I live in Tennessee now, she says over the phone.
Weve just had wave after wave of legislative terrorism that particularly target ourLGBTQ+ community, particularly trans people.
Its been a scary time.
I think thats partly why our interpretation of that song sounds the way it does.
AN IMPORTANT PART of Reids and Bells goals forTransawas to give people hope.
Im really grateful that we can have Glenn be this kind of example.
Glenn-Copeland, 80, began his transition in the mid-Nineties and started identifying publicly as trans in 2002.
He intends to continue creating art.)
He looked both overwhelmed and proud as he took a seat to sing.
It created a warm sense of community.
Welcome to you both young and old, he sang over piano at the concert.
We are ever new.
Glenn-Copeland re-recorded the song forTransawith a lush chamber-pop arrangementand vocals by Sam Smith.
When I heard Sams voice, I thought, Wow, check this out.
Its an angel singing over me,' he says on a Zoom call with Elizabeth.
I wanted to adopt them.
Everyone in the booth, we were all crying, Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland says.
And Sam was just overcome.
They said, Its such an honor for me to be here.'
The song and its message of rejuvenation closesTransa.
AFTER GLENN-COPELANDSperformance, several otherTransaartists performed their contributions.
Niecy Blues sang Is It Over Now?
with Guidry, who used her time onstage to call on the community to support Black trans women.
(Recordings from the project feature in LRainsTransarecording, a cover of Anohnis People Are Small/Rapture.)
So the question remained, can a compilation likeTransaopen closed minds at such a crucial time in American politics?
I think its possible, Reid says, but I think its going to be really difficult.
The people that this project really hits home for are going to be the leaders of the future.
As far as todays lawmakers, yeah, thats going to be an uphill climb.
Glenn-Copeland has no doubts.
It has the potential to open minds.
