The term “alternative lifestyle” has had an interesting life. Some claim it as an empowering way to eschew social norms without having to identify themselves any explicit way. Others use it as a pejorative way to put those people down. It’s been largely abandoned these days, as new words and phrases have evolved to more completely and humanely represent the queer experience. Explicit sexual orientation aside, the “alternative” scene of the early 90s — Seattle being an epicenter — could now pretty fairly be called the Queer scene. Capitol Hill remains something of a Mecca for certain folx.
Not everyone who had loud voices in the legit queer scene were gay, or even sexually “deviant” (in the most scientific sense of the word (ick)). (See? How we talk about actual people sometimes? Yikes!) I hereby declare that, no matter what body parts are involved in her sex life or long-term relationships, Tori Amos is one of the most important queer artists we have been given.
I’ll be honest. There’s a sort of family understanding that if you ‘get’ Tori, you GET Tori. And - no shame intended - if you don’t get Tori, you don’t. And that’s okay. Her music is unusual; her voice is unusual, and she leans into that with unusual stylizations. What’s a synonym for unusual? (Hint: it starts with a Q.)
I’ve come to see something that may prove universal or may not…the LGBTQ+ community’s most precious straight and cisgender allies are people who aren’t afraid to show us their weird bits. They’re folx who identify with us because something about them doesn’t quite fit in with everyone else too, and they reach out to us with those pieces of them, sharing the parts that separate them from “normal.” And what is “normal” anyway? As I said in one of these last weeks, we are all quirky and queer in our own ways, and that’s a way in for connection and love.
Tori Amos is a voice for the queer, undeniably, and she gives voice to feelings of otherness in a way that few people have over the years. This song is a gorgeous and sad and empowered de-closeting of a soul who’s felt trapped and voiceless for life, but not anymore. She found her voice, and she lent it to me. What a gift. I hope that it sheds light on your own personal weird today, with gentleness and peace and curiosity and togetherness.
Breathe in and out a few times. Release the tensions in your neck, your shoulders, your arms, your chest, your trunk, your hips, your legs, your feet. Agree with your body that it feels good to do this intentionally. Tell it to enjoy the next few minutes.
Now press play.
Thank you, Spirit of Music, for allies and friends, for safe people.