I hope everyone's New Year has gotten off to a good start.

Amidst the disturbing signs of political and cultural antagonism against transgender persons, the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" made me recall my reassuring feeling upon first listening to this song by everyone's favorite alt-rock band, The Replacements:

I first heard this in 1984 when I was in grad school and the lyrics hit me hard. But the acceptance that it promised still hasn't happened, almost 40 years later. Read the lyrics:

Here comes Dick, he's wearing a skirt
Here comes Jane, you know she's sporting a chain
Same hair, revolution
Same build, evolution
Tomorrow who's gonna fuss
And they love each other so
Androgynous
Closer than you know, love each other so
Androgynous
Don't get him wrong and don't get him mad
He might be a father, but he sure ain't a dad
And she don't need advice that'll center her
She's happy with the way she looks
She's happy with her gender
And they love each other so
Androgynous
Closer than you know, love each other so
Androgynous
Mirror image, see no damage
See no evil at all
Kewpie dolls and urine stalls
Will be laughed at
The way you're laughed at now
Now, something meets boy, and something meets girl
They both look the same
They're overjoyed in this world
Same hair, revolution
Unisex, evolution
Tomorrow who's gonna fuss
And tomorrow Dick is wearing pants
Tomorrow Janie's wearing a dress
Future outcasts and they don't last
And, today, the people dress the way that they please
The way they tried to do in the last centuries
And they love each other so
Androgynous
Closer than we know, love each other so
Androgynous

Songwriter: Paul Westerberg
© BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Here's to hoping society's resistance to persons recognizing and affirming their true gender identity will soon end. The darkest hour comes before the dawn.

Hugs,

Sammy