Music is a human universal that everyone should be able to enjoy.
Family folk duo Ants on a Log created an open call for the “Trans & Nonbinary Kids Mix,” a curated playlist of original songs from all different types of musicians to give trans/nonbinary youth a musical space to feel safe.
Kids’ artists, trans/nonbinary musicians, and cisgender allies were all invited to contribute, resulting in 21 songs that include danceable bops, powerful ballads, folk songs, hip-hop beats, and songs with nonbinary pronouns so that everyone can feel included.
“Most people from marginalized communities can say that seeing themselves reflected in the media is an experience they have infrequently or never,” said Ants on a Log member Julie Be in a press release. “For many trans/nonbinary people, when they do see themselves in media, the images are negative, stereotypes, one-dimensional, or just few and far between. This compilation serves as a statement that we exist, and there is music that speaks our stories. The contributing musicians — who identify under the trans umbrella, as well as cisgender allies — have come together to reach out to trans/nonbinary youth and say, ‘I see you,’ and ‘You are not alone.’”
The playlist is available for free on Bandcamp, with all donations benefitting Camp Aranu’tiq, a summer camp for trans/nonbinary youth. There is also a GoFundMe campaign that supports the musicians and graphic artist Wriply Bennet, who created the cover art.
Check out the video below to learn more about the project.
