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Queer Hitmaker Challenges Industry Colleagues to Battle Misogyny in Music
Justin Tranter wants women to have input on songs for and by women.
Justin Tranter, who an entire generation of Little Monsters know as the frontman of New York rock band Semi Precious Weapons, has spent the most recent part of his career behind the scenes in the music industry. After opening for Lady Gaga on tour and releasing a sophomore SPW album in 2014, the queer singer/songwriter has shifted his focus from performing songs to penning them.
Now, with a slew of notable pop hits to his name, from Selena Gomez's "Good For You" to Justin Bieber 's "Sorry," Tranter has issued a challenge to his male music industry colleagues. "Don't put a session together or write a song for a female artist without a female writer in the room," he writes, calling attention to the misogyny that runs rampant in music. "Not only will it give opportunities to the brilliant women who deserve them, but the songs will reach new levels."
Tranter recently joined GLAAD's National Board of Directors to promote LGBTQ acceptance in the entertainment industry. "I feel like there is a lot of homophobia and misogyny in the music business, and I feel like I've gotten to a place where I've broken down a lot of those doors," he told Billboard. "I've had the experience of going through homophobia in my work and I can share my experiences so future generations don't have to deal with what I've dealt with."
