Charlie Peck recently underwent hormone replacement therapy (HRT) so he could transition from female to male. As we're all aware, when a person transitions from one gender to another, not only does their appearance change but their voice does too. While lots of transgendered people take before and after photos of their physical transformation, not everyone thinks to keep a recording of their old voice. But, Charlie did.
The transgender singer recorded his vocals for a cover of Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros on his first day of HRT, then nine months into his treatment, he once again took to the mic to record new vocals with his lower register. The result is a mind blowingly beautiful duet.
Charlie told The Huffington Post that he decided to take on this project after coming to the realization that his voice is an important part of his new identity.
"I was first and foremost hoping for a voice that I could identify with," he explained. "In contact with other humans, the filter through which everything you say is perceived is your voice. I was also really scared that I would not be able to sing any more. With these thoughts in my head an idea about singing as a way to show others my journey started to form."
Ready to hear what Peck's duet sounds like?
Charlie enlisted the help of his musician friend, André í…hl Persson, and the pair got to working on the project, which they dedicated to the transgender community.
The video has been watched over 300,000 times and Charlie is ecstatic that his message is being heard by so many people.
"The reactions and feedback have been overwhelming and filled with so much love. I'm really grateful for that," the singer told The Local in another interview.
Check it out:
Charlie chose this particular song because not only do the lyrics mean a lot to him, they also convey a message to those listening.
"There are many ways to transition and to find yourself," Charlie explained to The Huffington Post. "This was my way. I am not telling every trans* individuals [sic] story, but I am giving them mine," he added. "The lyrics of the song, with some modifications made by me, say so much."
His overall message to those going through the same thing that he did?
"You are not alone, things can get better and put yourself before everybody else's expectations on how you should live your life," Charlie advises.
"Now that I have the energy to give something back to the trans* community "• this is my heart medicine for those in need."
What did you think of Charlie's cover?