Jackson Lemaster
Self-acceptance is a treasure many people search their whole lives for. There’s no map where you can follow and there’s no “X” that marks the spot. It’s a treasure only found through thorough self-reflection and there’s no telling where the “X” might be. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and we all should revel in the confidence those around us may feel. I got to see a shining example of confidence and self-acceptance when alternative, indie singer Jody Galadriel Friend visited my class to discuss music and social change.
Jody Galdriel Friend is the self-described “queer goth matriarch” and lead singer of Public Universal Friend, an indie band based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jody herself is both trans and a lesbian and shared that every band member is part of the queer community in one form or another. The band is publicly labeled as alternative; however, the band fancies themselves as “goth country”, which is a string of words that I personally didn’t think existed. I was a bit surprised to find that the band name did not come from Friend’s last name, but instead came from a non-binary Quaker who wore androgynous clothes and stressed free will during their sermons.
Jody Friend grew up in the Rocky Mountains and attended evangelical church services. She explained that she knew she was queer since she was four but growing up as queer and a “witch” made it difficult to express herself around her evangelical community. Friend had a history of music before the band as she was involved in her punk scene and managed to play a couple gigs in her church’s basement. Her solo career lasted ten years and publicly came out in 2020 as a trans woman. Friend labels the band’s 2021 album Chrysalis as a big “coming out” artistic expression where she addresses her identity and embraces it. One final thing of note on Jody’s personal life is her middle name. Friend is a fan of fantasy series Lord of the Rings and gave herself the middle name of “Galadriel’ who is a very powerful character within the lore.
The band itself is held in high regard amongst the queer community not just because of the identities of the band, but because of their advocacy outside of music. Not only do their lyrics feature many queer themes, but Friend herself strives to make sure that she’s helping inform the rhetoric surrounding queer discussion. Friend believes that rhetoric is what changes society and sees lobbyists that suppress trans and queer identity. Recently, in light of Indiana’s Senate banning gender-affirming care for minors, Friend attempted a movement in which people with hormone medication would share them with friends who don’t have access. It was quickly stopped when Friend realized it was illegal to do so. I include this story because it provides an example of Friend’s care and advocacy when it comes to trans issues. It might not have been successful, but that didn’t stop Friend.
What I took the most from Jody Friend’s visit to Indiana University Indianapolis is how she feels about confronting bigotry. Friend told me that if someone is being hateful, it is the responsibility of the listener to put a stop to the hatred. Don’t just sit there complicitly. Speak up. Inform the misinformed and educate the ignorant because if you listen silently, you contribute to the cycle of hatred. Give PUF’s music a listen and support them on their bandcamp. They do great work and make great music.