one queer thing: "the village" by wrabel

shattering the silence around trans youth experiences

hey beautiful humans,

as always - i'm here to drop this thursday's edition of one queer thing, where we celebrate the queerness of life - in accordance to the definition of bell hooks, "'queer' as being about the self that is at odds with everything around it and that has to invent and create and find a place to speak and to thrive and to live."

and let me tell you, as a queer puerto rican non-binary pansexual person, i embody this definition every day of my life. it's like being a walking, talking, dancing paradox. growing up, i felt like a coquí trying to sing in a world that only understood english. i still feel like this often, and it is most obvious when my culture and upbringing clashes with the ways of the united states. and that’s without mentioning my queerness, a flavor too spicy for the bland palate of heteronormativity, my non-binary identity a concept too fluid for a society that loves its rigid boxes.

Me at the Trans Day of Empowerment in 2023, where I won the Jada O’Brien Scholarship for Trans Youth. It was the first time I wore a dress in public. Source: Meesh Mori.

but here's the thing - in that discomfort, in that friction between who i am and what the world expects me to be, i found my power. my queerness became my superpower, my pansexuality a lens through which i see the beauty in all humans, my puerto rican heritage a rhythm that keeps me moving forward even when the world tries to hold me back. it's not always easy, mi gente. there are days when the weight of being "other" in so many ways feels heavier than a year's worth of pasteles. but it's in those moments, when i feel most at odds with the world around me, that i remember - this is what it means to be queer. to create, to invent, to carve out a space where none existed before. and let me tell you, the view from this self-made space? it's beautiful.

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past queer things: (5) eliza's "alone & unafraid" | (4) "for today i am a boy" by antony and the johnsons | (3) “rebel girl” by bikini hill | (2) allison ponthier | (1) "golden brown" by the stranglers

remember - whenever a queer thing is a song, it’ll get automatically added to the one queer thing spotify playlist, which you can find here.

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this week’s queer thing: "the village" by wrabel

Source: Genius lyric page for “The Village”.

now, let's dive into today's queer thing: "the village" by wrabel. this song isn't just a bop, it's a powerful statement on trans rights and the struggles of queer youth that resonates with anyone who's ever felt like the odd one out. imagine trying to color outside the lines in a world that prefers a monochrome palette. that’s the daily reality for many in the queer community, and wrabel captures this with aching clarity.

if you haven't heard of wrabel, it's time to fix that. this queer artist has been serving up emotional, piano-driven pop that speaks directly to the lgbtq+ experience. "the village" is his most hard-hitting track yet.

wrabel wrote "the village" in early 2017, but its release became a powerful act of solidarity when, just months later, changes in federal policy threatened the rights of transgender students at the behest of president donald trump. (remember?!?) his song was a response to a world that often tells queer individuals they need to change, echoing his personal experiences with a church that challenged his own identity.

the song opens with stark, resonating lines: "no, your mom don't get it, and your dad don't get it, uncle john don't get it." each lyric slices through the often painful reality of familial misunderstanding and societal rejection faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community.

the chorus hammers home the message: "there's something wrong in the village, in the village, oh." it's not just a lament; it's a declaration that the fault lies not within the individual, but within the society that views them as 'other.'

wrabel expressed in a billboard interview how personal this song is to him, describing it as "the most important thing to me that I have ever done and probably will ever do." his aim? to reach out to those feeling isolated, affirming they are not alone in their struggles.

Wrabel, the artist that wrote and sings this song. Source: Eliot Hazel, Billboard.

let’s talk: how does "the village" speak to you? share your stories and thoughts in the comments below.

if this song strikes a chord, share this post. let’s amplify voices that champion diversity and acceptance.

in "the village," wrabel uses his platform to spotlight the raw, sometimes harsh realities of being queer in a world that often demands conformity. he sings of the rumors and whispers, the societal pressure, and the profound loneliness that can accompany the queer experience: "feel the rumors follow you from monday all the way to friday dinner."

but beyond the pain, there's a potent reminder in the song's refrain: "there's nothing wrong with you, it's true, it's true." this line is a powerful affirmation for anyone who has ever felt marginalized or misunderstood.

today, as we reflect on "the village," let's remember the strength found in our identities and the importance of community support.

wrabel's message is clear: you are perfect as you are, and you are not alone.

until next time, keep embracing your truth, and let's continue making space for everyone to thrive.

cuidate,

edgard 🧡