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Who is Justin Vivian Bond?
Justin Vivian Bond, born on May 9, 1963, is a multi-talented American artist known for their work in various fields including singing, songwriting, painting, performance art, and acting. Being transgender, Bond prefers to be addressed with the gender-inclusive honorific Mx. instead of conventional ones like Ms. or Mr., and chooses the unique pronoun “v” for self-reference. Bond’s self-identification as “trans” signifies their embrace of their gender identity, and they have openly expressed their affinity for the term ‘trans’.
What made Justin Vivian Bond famous?
Gaining fame wasn’t an overnight journey for the Hagerstown, Maryland native. Their career took off in San Francisco, where they were involved in a variety of independent theater and film productions. Their move to New York City marked a significant turning point. Here, they co-created the character of Kiki DuRane, an aging, alcoholic, female lounge singer, as part of the performance duo Kiki and Herb. This duo quickly garnered a cult following and toured worldwide, even gracing Broadway with their performances.
Beyond this, they are known for solo shows like “Mx America”, where they delve into the concept of an “American” identity through the lens of their own experiences as a transgender individual. Their discography includes two albums, “Dendrophile” and “Silver Wells”. They have used their platform to advocate for transgender rights, sharing their personal experiences through extensive writings.
Is Justin Vivian Bond trans?
Bond’s rise to prominence can be attributed to a blend of artistic prowess, advocacy, and personal authenticity. They were lauded for their daring and innovative approach in the arts, which led to their receipt of the Ethyl Eichelberger Award in 2007, and a Tony Award nomination for their performance in “Kiki and Herb Alive on Broadway.” Bond’s memoir, “Tango: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels,” which openly discussed their early gender identity recognition, further solidified their fame, earning the Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Nonfiction.
Beyond literature, Bond’s visual art, exploring themes of gender, sexuality, and identity, has been exhibited in various galleries, further expanding their influence. Notably, their personal journey with hormone therapy and unique gender identity, which they refer to as “v”, has also been a significant part of their journey to fame. Their efforts as a performer and advocate have been pivotal in fostering understanding and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, thereby enhancing the visibility of the transgender community in the arts and society.