LCD Soundsystem member Gavin Russom comes out as transgender

'I’m the happiest I’ve ever been'

Musician Gavin Russom — best known for playing synthesizer and percussion for LCD Soundsystem— has come out as transgender.

In an interview with Grindr, Russom spoke about coming to terms with her sexuality and why she decided to make a public announcement.

“This is my fifth decade being alive,” she said, “and in each of those decades, there’s been a time where I’ve tried to say, ‘Hey, I think I’m transgender!’ This was even before that word existed.”

Russom has released music under various monikers, including Black Leotard Front, Black Meteoric Star, and The Crystal Ark. She is currently signed to DFA Records, which was founded by LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, along with Tim Goldsworthy and Jonathan Galkin.

With the band having recently reformed and deciding to head out on tour, Russom was finding living as a man harder and harder: “My body rejected it in the same way that it now utterly rejects going into a men’s bathroom or when somebody calls me ‘sir.’”

Speaking about making the transition, which was supported by the other members, Russom said: “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, but I have my good days and my bad days. On my bad days, it really sucks and I wait until I get home to go to the bathroom—which is such a basic thing.”

While she spoke about the numerous challenges ahead, Russom hopes her fame will help others: “For anybody who is struggling with their gender identity or who wants to come out and is afraid to, what would be better than giving someone permission to do that through my performance? That’s the ultimate. It’s what other people gave to me, so I’d love to pass that along to other people, too.”