Veronica Steed (she/her/hers)

Veronica Steed is a 65-year-old white, crossdresser who came out around 2000, when she began attending monthly meetings and social activities hosted by Emerald City Social Club. There, she met Ginger Li and other musicians and, after performing at the Esprit Conference talent show around 2003, formed The Nasty Habits. Playing music and being herself – “a bit glamorous and a bit much” – was a lifelong dream of hers, so she was thrilled to play 80s/90s rock, punk, pop and glam with the band at bars in Port Angeles, other parts of the Olympic Peninsula, and Seattle.

Here, Veronica talks about coming out at work and to her family and feeling the joy of playing music and having a meaningful impact on the bar crowds and communities where they performed, particularly young people who identified with the band members’ sense of self and genuineness.

Audio Stories | Transcripts

We want to hear about your reactions to the stories! We want to hear from everyone, but are especially interested in responses from trans and queer folks. In the Comments section below, tell us a bit about yourself (whatever you are comfortable sharing, such as your age, gender, sexuality, where you live, etc.), what the storyteller shared, and how it resonated with you. Comments are moderated and are posted once approved.