88.7 KTRM, Truman State University’s student radio station, often broadcasts a wide variety of music, and its repertoire of shows offer something for almost everyone. The radio station recently invited emerging pop artist Sir Babygirl, along with electro-pop musician Nyssa, to perform at Truman. The event was organized by KTRM staff, who coordinated with the self-made artist set to hit the stage tonight.
We, The Index Editorial Board, believe this is a prime example of the kind of events Truman should have on campus. Truman prides itself on the importance it places on diversity and inclusion, but it can be hard to see that when looking at the artists and performers often brought to campus.
We think that Sir Babygirl is an exciting step toward hosting artists that vary in identity and background, not just genre. Sir Babygirl is non-binary and bisexual, which is something the performer has been extremely open about. With many students at the University identifying as queer in one or multiple ways, we are excited to see this kind of representation on campus.
LGBTQ+ representation can be hard to come by, even in mainstream media. Seeing individuals that are non-binary or genderqueer is even more rare. For people who share that identity, it might feel like you are the only person in the world who feels the way you do. Isolated individuals often struggle to feel comfortable with who they are in a world that can be hostile and uncaring. While we are not saying this is the environment Truman exhibits, we do believe that representation is an important consideration student groups on campus should be more aware of. Seeing someone who you can identify with succeeding and thriving despite societal forces pushing against them can provide a huge sense of hope and inspiration.
Sir Babygirl is a fantastic example of someone who can bring confidence to genderqueer individuals on campus, especially those looking to pursue a career in music but worry that their gender identity will affect their success.
Having a variety of artists perform at Truman benefits everyone, especially those who can identify with the performers. With little work required to consider other artists of different identities and backgrounds, there’s no reason Truman shouldn’t have more events like this on campus.