Country star Brad Paisley wrote a new tune about the nation's current obsession with transgender people (particularly, where they pee) and he dropped by "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night to share it with the world.
The song, a take on Tammy Wynette's 1968 hit "Stand by Your Man," begins by lamenting, "sometimes it’s hard to be a woman, especially when you are born a man,” before setting the scene in North Carolina where the recently passed House Bill 2 currently prohibits trans people from using restrooms that correspond with their gender identity.
“In North Carolina they are checking for vaginas, if you want to use the can," Paisley crooned. "I say sit by your man. We are all just human beings. He’s just a human peeing, in the stall right next to you. Sit by your man. Why is this such a big deal? Hike up your dress and take a stand. And sit by your man.”
While we totally agree with Paisley's "what's the big deal" sentiment, we're a bit confused about Paisley's use of "man" and male pronouns in the song. As far as we can tell, he's singing about a trans woman being hassled for trying to use the women's room, so though it'd be infinitely less catchy, shouldn't the correct title be "Sit By Your Trans Woman"?
We reached out to Paisley's publicist for clarification and were told, "Brad is all about finding that Mark Twain humorous angle where people are laughing before they realize he's making a really good point." As much as we appreciate that -- and him speaking out on HB2 -- if we're right about the lyrics, it highlights the need for our allies to ensure that they understand the community they're fighting alongside and how to refer to their identities, lives and experiences.
Before You Go
