Against Me!'s transgender
singer-guitarist Laura Jane Grace, formerly Tommy Gabel, says she has
identified with Madonna since childhood.
Grace performed last month for the
first time since coming out transgender in Rolling Stone.
In an interview to be aired Tuesday on
MTV News, Grace
said she identified as a child with Madonna on two levels.
“On of my earliest memories is
watching TV, a live performance of Madonna, and seeing her playing
and being mesmerized, and just thinking that's me on two levels, both
the musician level – performer level – and then as a female,
thinking that's me,” Grace said. “You know, that is like
completely identifying with her.”
Grace added that her wife Heather has
been her rock, but she worried about toddler daughter Evelyn.
“For my daughter, I'm just hoping
that it doesn't affect her in any kind of negative way, as far as
kids can be cruel to each other, you know, once she starts school or
anything like that. It's already weird enough when your dad is in a
band, you know, and explaining that to other kids. But when your dad
is transsexual as well, as in a band, you know, I just hope people
are kind to my daughter.”