An Ames church will host a transgender singer later this year. Stephanie Dykes was born a male, but now identifies as a female after “transitioning” in 2008. Dykes will perform in Ames this Thursday at Bethesda Lutheran Church.
The concert is called “A Transgender Life: An Evening of Song & Story with Stephanie Dykes, Ph.D.” It is open to the public. Admission is free. Dykes is also performing at Bethesda’s worships this weekend.
While the individual’s appearance changed, reports say their voice remained the same.
The Ames Tribune notes that Dykes is often the “first transgender woman to sing in churches and choruses.”
Dykes said their singing is a way to “do advocacy” for transgender people.
Interestingly, the biological male who “identifies” as a female decided in 2018 to join the Seattle Men’s Chorus in 2018, according to the Ames Tribune.
Dykes told the Ames Tribune that when they transitioned in 2008, they didn’t want to risk changing their voice.
“When you go through male puberty your voice is permanently lowered,” Dykes said. “There are surgeries to try and raise your voice. But some people who have had that surgery had their voice either get worse or there’s no change.”
Dykes credited a book called “Gender Outlaw” with a realization that someone can be transgender and be a lesbian.
