LAKEVIEW — Declaring it time to be a "whole person," LCD Soundsystem's Gavin Russom has come out as a trans woman — and she's ready to party.
Russom, known as "The Wizard" for her mastery of synth and electronics, began quietly coming out earlier this year, but went public Thursday in interviews with Grindr's INTO and Pitchfork. LCD Soundsystem is set to headline Pitchfork Music Festival in Near West Side's Union Park.
In INTO and Pitchfork, Thussom, 43, shared photos of herself that "reflect how I feel comfortable expressing myself." With bold red lipstick and gold hoop earrings, Russom uses feminine pronouns and will keep her given name.
Before coming out, Russom was already set to DJ during Femme's Room, a monthly dance party at Berlin nightclub in Lakeview that celebrates femininity and femme expression.
Recently, Femme's Room was voted the best LGBTQ dance party in Chicago Reader's annual poll. Being asked to perform there as she was in the process of coming out was kismet, Russom told Pitchfork.
"One of those moments where the universe is tapping you on the shoulder, [saying], 'It's OK, it's real,' " she said.
In a first-person account of her life as a trans woman, Russom recounts past attempts to transition publicly. Violence and harassment were "part of my daily experience," in her 20s, Russom said.
"Things are different than they were in 1997, despite our current overarching political system," Russom said. "That's not to say there isn't a very long way to go ... [but] I feel very blessed because the world that I operate in is relatively open-minded."
Now, Russom said she looks forward to "be of service and share my experiences [in a way that's true to music."
"There may be people who are fans of either LCD or of my own music who don't really have any experience with these things," she added. "It's so easy to develop prejudices when you've never encountered a person in whatever group you're prejudiced against."
Her first appearance since affirming her trans identity will be at Femme's Room on July 13 on the eve of the Pitchfork Music Festival.
The party starts at 10 p.m. at Berlin Nightclub, 954 W. Belmont Ave., and is hosted by popular guest hosts like Sky Cubacub and Aunty Chan along with resident hosts Lucy Stoole, Scott Cramer, Abhijeet and DJ Harry Cross. Tickets are $12 with fees.
Russom has been with LCD Soundsystem since 2009 and will perform with the band at Pitchfork on Friday.
