In celebration of Pride Month, Atwood Magazine has invited artists to contribute a series of essays focusing on themes of identity, music, culture, inclusion, and more.
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Today, singer/songwriter Tobi LaCroix shares his thoughts on identity, acceptance, and self-expression in his personal essay titled “Palatability as a Trans Person.” He reflects on his journey from internalized expectations to self-liberation, discussing how embracing his true self has influenced his artistry. LaCroix's story, marked by resilience and community, is part of Atwood Magazine’s Pride Month series honoring the rich diversity of voices and experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Tobi LaCroix is a classically trained theatrical pop artist and trans storyteller crafting his own narrative. Raised in Virginia and currently enrolled in the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy, LaCroix allows curiosity rather than convention to shape his music. He began penning songs at age eleven and started studying classical piano by age six, which laid the groundwork for the emotionally vibrant and musically innovative art he creates today.
LaCroix gained recognition with “Home,” a deeply personal song inspired by his experiences as a trans individual. Written in response to feelings of isolation and misunderstanding, the track outlines his personal journey from early self-awareness to confronting societal expectations. “In many instances, I am the only trans person someone I know has ever met,” he states. “I wrote this song in hopes that people would hear it and understand more about trans people and the trans experience.” What started as a personal reckoning evolved into a significant turning point, both musically and emotionally.
An accomplished YoungArts winner, LaCroix has performed at The Harvest Festival and the Traverse City Opera House, and has shared the stage with artists such as Dar Williams. He has also amassed over 200 million views across Instagram and TikTok with his authentic, genre-blending performances, capturing the attention of artists like Halsey, SZA, Alanis Morissette, and Jewel.
In addition to his songwriting, LaCroix is now working on an original musical that fuses his love for theater with contemporary music. Whether he is at the piano, crafting pieces inspired by film clips, or taking the stage, Tobi invites his audience into a realm where emotional sincerity meets cinematic creativity. His debut EP is anticipated to be released in mid-2025.
Tobi LaCroix’s latest single, “Home,” is available now. You can stream the music video and read his personal essay for Atwood Magazine’s Pride Month series below!
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by Tobi LaCroix
For me, being trans is about complexity.
It’s about allowing a person to express themselves in the way that resonates most with them, not in a manner that pleases others.
At this stage of my life, I am learning to express myself in the ways I desire, rather than conforming to what some might expect a trans man to be. However, this wasn’t always my reality. For much of my life, even before coming out as trans, I felt compelled to suppress femininity to be viewed as my true self. It wasn’t until recently, when my online presence began to grow, that I realized an important lesson: Regardless of how much I adhered to “masculine” attire or behaviors, others would still challenge my trans identity.
Eventually, I came to understand that I should not cater to individuals who would never accept me. No matter what actions I take or how "right" I am in expressing my trans identity, some will support me and some will not. It is not my duty to concern myself with the opinions of those who will reject me for who I am, irrespective of my efforts. My responsibility is to remain authentic to myself and to express my identity in the manner that feels appropriate to me.
Tobi LaCroix © courtesy of the artist
Tobi LaCroix © courtesy of the artist
It can be easy to be swayed by others' judgments.
For a long period, I believed that if I dressed outside the traditional “masculine” norm, I would be wasting the privilege of being openly trans. Simultaneously, I dealt with the pressure of growing up as a girl, feeling inadequate in my femininity. For a significant duration, I felt caught between the expectations from both sides of the gender spectrum. However, in the past two years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be part of a community that accepts me no matter what.
Regardless of how I dress, present myself, or behave, I will be recognized at my word as to who I am. This has enabled me to explore my identity in ways I never thought were possible. Initially, I feared (given my openness online) that this might result in a surge of negativity or that people wouldn’t take me seriously. However, those who did
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Singer-songwriter Tobi LaCroix shares his thoughts on identity, acceptance, and self-expression in his personal essay titled “Palatability as a Trans Person” for Atwood Magazine's Pride Month series!