Jackie Shane was a prominent part of the Toronto jazz scene in the 1960s.
A gifted singer with amazing stage presence, she broke barriers as a transgender performer and became a Canadian music icon in the process.
This is the story of the legendary Jackie Shane.
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A gifted singer with amazing stage presence, she broke barriers as a transgender performer and became a Canadian music icon in the process.
This is the story of the legendary Jackie Shane.
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Is it known why she remained a US citizen? Were the laws different then, or was it a personal choice?
A Canadian icon regardless.
From an early age, she sang in church choirs and developed a strong confidence in herself. When she was 13, she told her mom she was transgender. Her parents accepted her, as did many kids at her school.
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Life in Tennessee was difficult with racism rampant against Black performers. Shane left the United States for Montreal in the late-1950s.
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“One cannot choose where one is born, but you can choose your home. I chose Toronto. I love Toronto. I love Canadian people. I consider myself a part of them.”
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https://youtu.be/yUYW2iwimBw?si=tX5VYK2lsaFAnQlA
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Even George Clinton with Parliament-Funkadelic tried to get join his band but she refused.
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Shane lived a quiet life in Nashville.
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