99% Invisible – 550- Melanie Speaks

Intro

In this episode of 99% Invisible, titled “Melanie Speaks,” the podcast explores the story of Melanie, a trans woman who created a video called Melanie Speaks in the 90s. Through this video, Melanie offered voice training tips and exercises to help trans women find their voices and pass as traditionally feminine. The podcast delves into the impact of Melanie Speaks on the trans community and the challenges faced by trans individuals in finding their authentic voices.

Main Takeaways

Trans Voice Training and Melanie Speaks

• Trans people, especially trans women, have been teaching each other how to find their new voices for decades.
• Melanie Speaks was a video advertised in old newsletters that was a big deal in the trans community.
• Melanie offered tips, vocal exercises, and encouragement to sound more traditionally feminine.
• Melanie’s approach to voice training was not too serious and allowed for experimentation.
• Melanie Speaks gave trans women permission to speak on their own terms and showed them how to do it in a fun, inviting way.

The Importance of Voice in Society

• Voices are products of our environments as much as they are part of us.
• Our speaking voice can impact how we are perceived and treated in society.
• The world has made the voice determine what’s masculine and feminine.
• Society trains men to be aggressive and women to be passive.

Melanie’s Story and Impact

• In the 90s, a woman named Melanie helped a generation of trans women find their voices through a videotape called Melanie Speaks.
• Dallas Denny, a trans woman who had been searching for a community for 25 years, found Melanie Speaks through a support group.
• Women who used Melanie Speaks in the 90s found it to be a valuable resource for voice training and passing.
• Melanie struggled with leaving her past behind and presenting herself as just another woman.
• Melanie’s video tape provided support and community to hundreds of trans people in the 90s.

Summary

Trans Voice Training and Melanie Speaks

Trans people, particularly trans women, have long been helping each other find their new voices. Melanie Speaks, a video created by Melanie in the 90s, became a significant resource in the trans community. Melanie offered tips, vocal exercises, and encouragement to sound more traditionally feminine. Her approach to voice training allowed for experimentation and exploration, giving trans women the permission to find their own voices. The video provided a fun and inviting way for trans women to navigate voice training and pass as traditionally feminine.

The Importance of Voice in Society

Our voices are not only a part of us but also products of our environments. Society has assigned gendered expectations to voices, associating certain qualities with masculinity or femininity. Men are often trained to have aggressive voices, while women are expected to have passive voices. These societal norms can impact how individuals are perceived and treated. Voice training becomes crucial for trans individuals who seek to align their voices with their gender identity and presentation.

Melanie’s Story and Impact

Melanie, through her video Melanie Speaks, played a significant role in helping trans women find their voices in the 90s. The video was advertised in old newsletters and became highly regarded within the trans community. It offered valuable tips and exercises for voice training, allowing trans women to pass as traditionally feminine. Melanie’s approach to voice training was not overly serious, creating a space for experimentation and exploration. However, Melanie’s journey was not without challenges as she struggled to leave her past behind and fully embrace her identity as a woman. Her video tape provided support and a sense of community for hundreds of trans individuals during that time.

Conclusion

Melanie Speaks and the story of Melanie highlight the importance of voice training for trans individuals and the impact it can have on their lives. Through her video, Melanie provided a valuable resource for trans women to find their voices and navigate the challenges of passing as traditionally feminine. The podcast sheds light on the societal expectations placed on voices and the need for trans individuals to find their authentic voices. Melanie’s influence will endure, even if the last copy of the tape breaks down over time. Sharing stories and artifacts like Melanie’s tape is crucial for future generations to understand how their elders created community and supported each other when traditional resources failed. Trans individuals, particularly trans women, continue to take care of each other and find support within their community, showcasing the resilience and strength in their journey towards self-acceptance and authenticity.