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Context:

Why We Need Gender-Affirming Vocal Specialists


Complications of Vocal Dysphoria
 

  • Gender dysphoria refers to the distress caused by having a discrepancy between physical traits and the person’s gender identity. This emotional disturbance can be caused or worsened by the person’s voice (Akst et al., 2023, para. 4). 

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  • Singers who are transgender may hunch or inappropriately adjust their posture to hide physical traits associated with their biological sex.

    • Poor posture can lead to insufficient breath support for singing causing vocal strain and strain in the neck and face muscles (Cole, 2024, paras. 6-9)

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  • Pushing the voice above or below its natural range in singing can cause permanent damage to the vocal folds (Cole, 2024, paras. 15-20).

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  • Trans singers who wear chest binders may experience difficulties in finding proper breathing techniques.

This video by "Understanding Psychology with Dr. Daniel Kaplin" briefly describes what gender dysphoria is and the effects it can have on an individual.

Risk of Injury

  • Adjusting the regular speaking pitch of the voice could result in polyps, nodules, lesions, scarring, muscle tension, and inflammation (Dutchen, 2015, para. 6).

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  • Trained professionals can safely work with transgender and gender diverse individuals to address speaking pitch, resonance, air flow and breath, resonance, intonation, articulation, and nonverbal cues (Akst et al., 2023, para. 6).

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  • Additionally, homicides and hate crimes disproportionately target transgender individuals, supplying more incentive for trans individuals to develop a speaking or singing voice that aligns with their gender (Dutchen, 2015, para. 13). 

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