David Bowie, aka David Jones, aka Ziggy Stardust, aka Aladdin Sane, aka The Thin White Duke, aka The Man Who Fell to Earth had a vision of a future where everybody would be androgynous. Maybe the trans movement of today found its initial voice with him back in the ‘70s, when he proclaimed “make way for the homo superior.” Like so many others at the time, I glimpsed this insight that proposed expanding beyond the narrow labels to which I had been assigned.

Like an annunciating alien, David Bowie descended upon the earth to spread his message of an evolving species by employing his celestial musicianship and ethereal beauty. His music inspired others, as we will see from the following playlist, as did this ideal that combined rock and roll with science fiction and glamour.

Remaining faithful to the promise of his beatific vision, before he died Bowie prepared a final statement to be delivered posthumously: “Lazarus” in which he greeted us from the cosmos: “Look, I’m in heaven…” Even in death he remained eternally loving, and ever hopeful for our advancement.

All the Young Dudes (Mott the Hoople)

The Man Who Sold the World (Nirvana) / The Man Who Sold The World, 1970

Life on Mars (Seu Jorges) / Hunky Dory, 1971

Space Oddity (Brandi Carlisle) / David Bowie, 1969

Rebel Rebel (Rickie Lee Jones) / Diamond Dogs, 1974

Andy Warhol (Stone Temple Pilots) / Hunky Dory, 1971

5 Years (Cowboy Junkies) / The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, 1972

Heroes (Peter Gabriel) / Heroes, 1977

Under Pressure (Karen O and Willie Nelson) / Hot Space (w/ Queen), 1981

Ziggy Stardust (Bauhaus) / The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, 1972