WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Trans Choir is a place where transgender people can literally find their voice.
“When I open my mouth, it sounds like Barry White is coming out of my mouth,” said Abdullah “Abby” Hall, the group’s artistic director. “It contradicts the way I speak, because I don’t sound like Barry White, but when I sing, Barry White comes out.”
The chorus is certainly one of a kind. “We are the only SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass, baritone) trance chorus in the country,” Hall continued.
“We want people to see us, see our diversity, know that we’re here, that we’re proud to be here, and that we enjoy showing the world who we are,” explained Katherine Davis, the choir’s executive director.
Colleen Burch moved to Los Angeles during the pandemic. “Music is my background. I went to Berklee College of Music and I missed singing, especially in a group. Testosterone gave me a new voice and I wanted a trans community where I could explore and where people would understand and people would support me while I figured things out.”
Hall added, “Even if you’re in transition or on hormone replacement therapy, you have to love your voice. You have to love the sound that’s coming out. The moment you embrace that sound, you can create a beautiful musical sound.”
Not only is it a safe space, but it also helps raise awareness.
Hall continued, “Our chorus sings about the triumph and celebration of being transgender, non-binary and intersex. We should celebrate who we are. Each of these identities is strong and each of these identities is valid, so what better way to celebrate that than through music.”
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