Every day ofPride Month,phimsecphimsec Mashable will be sharing illuminating conversations with members of the LGBTQ community who are making history right now.
Julia Weldon is the non-binary artist we need in today's world.
For all those who are struggling with love, loss, and life, regardless of identity, this singer/songwriter's work emphasizes that we can't make it through life alone.
Before breaking into music, Weldon was a child actor at 13 (when their "boyishness" was an asset, they told Mashable) performing alongside career legend Meryl Streep in Before and After. It was through acting that they began to explore their queer and trans identity, and recognized the importance of LGBTQ representation to change lives.
Taking a step back from acting, Weldon, already a self-taught musician, wrote their first critically-acclaimed album Light Is A Ghost.But an unimaginable incident would change the course of their life and work forever.
SEE ALSO: 9 meaningful ways to become part of Pride this yearComing back after a relentless tour in 2015 promoting the album, Weldon would finally receive gender-affirming top surgery. But after unexpected complications following the surgery (related to their immune system, not the surgery itself) and a bout of viral meningitis, they fell into a coma for four days. Recovery was not an easy path, but hope and reflection on the experience became a source of creative inspiration. Just two weeks out of the hospital, they wrote the song "Cursed and Blessed," and set down a path of processing big questions about life, connection, and identity through their work.
Weldon's latest album, Comatose Hope,does just that and more. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform a concert at my alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College, after the album's release. In the middle of their set, a fire alarm was set off. Unfazed, they continued on the acoustic guitar, led everyone like an indie-folk-pop pied piper out of the halls and onto the grass outside, continuing their set while the fire alarm blared on. Weldon connected with people on a deep, personal level, the sign of an artist who can build, and support, community.
Nowadays, Weldon is establishing their place as an LGBTQ actor again, appearing on TV, in commercials, and advertising. The world has changed for non-binary artists; roles are slowly starting to appear, and the auditioning process is becoming a little more accepting. It's not perfect, but Weldon forges on, knowing that just one young person seeing them be themself can have a profound impact.
The interview below has been edited for length and clarity.
Mashable: In honor of Pride, what is something that you are personally proud of in your development as an artist, or in your career?
Julia Weldon:I feel proud that after taking a large step back from the TV/film industry, I've come back on my own terms and with my own boundaries to have a career as a non-binary and genderfluid actor. The industry was way behind on representation for so many years, but I feel proud to really dive back in again.
I also feel extremely proud that my music and message has reached so many younger folks and made them feel more confident in their own gender identity, despite difficult family circumstances and other barriers. Instagram has been a pleasantly weird source of connection, and followers DM me all the time with questions and beautiful messages about how I've helped or inspired them. Those messages are so, so special. I’m also personally proud that me and my partner just had a baby, gaybie, theybie! Our little one is 5 months old and I feel so proud to be a Baba/Dad Person!
Mashable: How have you navigated being a non-binary person auditioning and working in a cisnormative media industry? Is there a difference in expressing yourself in the music industry?
JW: It's been super difficult in the past, and I think that's because there was such a lack of respect and acknowledgement that this amazing community even existed within the industry. I had a lot of success as a child actor when my boyishness was an asset. But in my twenties, I was misgendered and misunderstood by my agents, the very people who were supposed to be representing me and my career. But now, thank goddess, there's been a major increase in non-binary and trans roles. I feel fortunate to have amazingagents that send me out for the gender spectrum I feel comfortable with, instead of them asking me to conform to cis female roles that don't feel right. It's beyond important to feel seen and visible in this industry!
"I think it's a big question if the increase in gender diversity is [for the sake of] genuine interest in telling these stories, or if it's somewhat exploitative. And I don't have an answer on that yet."
I still think there are a ton of struggles and we have to keep fighting for the cishet structures to put us in positions of change and storytelling in the industry. I also find that pronouns are still really hard for some people, even on sets where non-binary and trans folks are being put in front of the camera, which is super problematic. I think it's a big question if the increase in gender diversity is [for the sake of] genuine interest in telling these stories, or if it's somewhat exploitative. And I don't have an answer on that yet. Regardless, I feel excited that there are finallyroles for me and my community.
In the music industry, I feel less confined by gender, because I get up on stage and just do my thing. It’s about my voice and my songs. But, in some ways, I believe that I've hit obstacles with how to reach the level I've wanted in the music field because my gender is ambiguous, and managers and booking agents don't know how to market me. And that's frustrating! I think there’s definitely still a glass ceiling for me and my fellow trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) musicians. It’s hard to break out of the indie market like Hayley Kiyoko or Troye Sivan have. But I feel supported by my fanbase, and songwriting and music are passions that live inside me. I don't think I'll ever stop making music and performing.
Mashable: I know you wrote the song “Cursed and Blessed” just two weeks out of the hospital after complications with your gender-affirmation surgery — how did your perspective on life change after that incident?
JW: In some ways and especially during that year after, everything changed. But because I was so fortunate to make a full recovery, it's also very surreal to look back and think I was even ever in a coma. Several songs that are on my most recent album Comatose Hopeare about processing this strange traumatic event that feels too big and beyond words. The coma had nothing to do with having top surgery, but more about an unknown issue with my immune system. It was terrifying for me, and even more for my partner and family/chosen family, but we were so supported. I feel lucky every time I think about [the fact that] I survived with my brain and body intact. I actually woke up with a better body! My top surgery has changed my life in so many ways, and I feel grateful for my chest every day!
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Mashable: What does “Pride Month,” and “Pride” in general, mean to you?
JW: Pride for me is about solidarity, singing, dancing, getting weird and making out. This year I’ll maybe be partying a little less and hanging with my little queer family a little more! When I was 15, I went to my first NYC Pride Parade with my best friend — we were queer little babies and felt surrounded by color and love. But I remember seeing two women making out on a balcony in the West Village and thinking, “I’ll never have that.”
It felt so distant from my reality and that made me scared for myself and my future. It always amazes me the past few years how full circle my life (and work) has come. I don’t have a balcony (yet!) but I had top surgery, which seriously changed my life for the better, I have an amazing partner, a baby, a resurgence in my acting career because the industry is finally placing value on queer and trans stories. I get to perform at queer Pride shows. I hope queer and TGNC (trans gender non-conforming) kids hear my music, see me play, see me act ... and don’t feel the way I did when I was 15. I hope they don’t feel scared. I hope they see themselves in the future. Happy Pride month, fam!
Mashable: What has been an interaction with your LGBTQ fanbase or event that has affected you the most?
JW: The past couple years, I’ve played at the all ages "Everyone is Gay" Pride event (sponsored by the Tegan and Sara Foundation), and last year I had so many young queer and genderqueer folks come up to me and tell me how much my music and queer, trans, GNC visibility meant to them. It was so special, and I’m still in touch with those kids today!
Mashable: Where do you hope the LGBTQ community will stand in society in 50 years?
JW:Oh god, I have no idea! Maybe there'll be no gender?! The possibilities seem endless! But I guess I just want the world to keep getting safer and more open to the multitude of sexualities and genders that are out there. We are beautiful and strong and we are making so much progress. Let’s keep fighting, fam.
UPDATE: June 29, 2019, 1:57 p.m. EDT An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to Weldon using she/her pronouns. Weldon prefers they/them.