Shirley Manson has also come out as "non-binary" now
The music world is richer by another outing. Shirley Manson, the singer of the band Garbage, has come out as non-binary.
At the same time, she didn't miss the opportunity to declare that her outing proved that she had "more balls" than others in the band. What this addition means exactly remains to be seen. What is certain is that it was apparently important for Shirley to draw a clear line for herself and to stand by herself in public.
In an interview with scotsman.com, she explained that she is a woman with masculine characteristics. Early on, she said, she had begun to explore the realm of the non-binary. Obviously, now was the right time for her to share herself with the world.
Who are Garbage?
The band Garbage is one of those artists who have managed to make a name for themselves again and again for several decades. In the mid-1990s, their career really took off. Only at the time when the single "Androgyny" was released, the band suffered a low blow. Because: since here - at least for the time - boundaries were crossed, it was perceived in part very critical in public. This even led so far that some radio stations further to play "Androgyny" at all.
Particularly interesting: actually, the song addressed exactly what being "non-binary" is all about. It was about letting the boundaries between the sexes blur more with each other and freeing oneself from social constraints. In a way, Garbage and frontwoman Shirley can even be considered pioneers and trailblazers of the scene accordingly.
Unfortunately, it became apparent at that time that society was obviously not yet ready to accept this kind of "otherness" to a large extent.
Garbage are back
It was probably also lyrics like those of "Androgyny" that ensured that Garbage enjoyed particular popularity within the gay scene even during the aforementioned "career crunch".
In addition, times have changed and the band has long been back on the road. Only in the summer of this year there was musical fodder again with "No Gods No Masters".
A look at the songs and the lyrics shows that Garbage still doesn't let anyone tell them to shut up. They sometimes sing about uncomfortable topics and have no problem putting their finger in the wound in an artistic way.
However, the developments surrounding the band's frontwoman also demonstrate once again the huge role that language can play in empowering groups of people.
When "the child" gets a name
When the song "Androgyny" was released, there was no real, official term for people who saw themselves as neither female nor male and advocated softening the boundaries between gender roles.
In the meantime, however, society has become much more sensitive in this respect. Or in other words: Queers no longer have to decide between "gay" and "lesbian", but have far more possibilities to present themselves as fully as possible in their person.
Accordingly, it is certainly no coincidence that more and more artists are coming out as non- or non-binary right now. Sometimes it takes a term for what you feel to realize: YES! That's exactly it! - and: I am not alone.
Did you notice that Fran Drescher celebrated her 64th birthday?