Laura Jane Grace Of Against Me! Set To Release Memoir

It’s been 4 years since Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace came out as transgender. The move was unprecedented; with such little transgender representation in the pre-Caitlyn Jenner entertainment world, Grace has managed to document the journey (in album Transgender Dysphoria Blues, and AOL web series, True Trans) of a personal struggle that remains exclusive to the up-and-coming rockstar: gender identity transition in the masculine-dominated punk rock sphere.

This week, Grace announced on Twitter and Instagram (below) her plans to continue to share this unique story in memoir form with the release of Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout. Written with Dan Ozzi of Noisey, the book will use current and old writings to explore the malaise of Grace’s confusing adolescent years, along with the struggle behind her decision to transition from Tom to Laura. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ozzi says “The book mixes narrative about Laura’s life — growing up with dysphoria and playing in our generation’s most influential punk band — with amazing journal entries she’s been keeping since she was a kid.” Tranny will be released November 15.

Grace emphasized that the memoir is in no way a tool for career advancement, tweeting “I just want to make it 100% clear that my book is in no way what-so-ever about self-glorification or hero-worship… Any trans person who has written a book in effort to elevate themselves onto a pedestal, well I want my book to be the anti-that.” The frontwoman has been working on the memoir for some time; she has been revising her first draft since May 2014.

Grace founded Against Me! in 1997. The band has released 6 studio albums, 2 live albums, and 15 singles, the most notable “I Was A Teenage Anarchist.” In 2011, upon achieving mainstream success, Grace founded Total Treble recording studio and accompanying record label, Total Treble Music. The production companies brought the release of critically acclaimed Transgender Dysphoria Blues in 2014 and live album 23 Live Sex Acts in 2015. The band’s next album is tentatively slated for next year.