Early Life and Education of Laura Jane Grace: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Laura Jane Grace. A timeline of key moments.

Laura Jane Grace is an influential American musician, most prominently known as the founder and lead singer of the punk rock band Against Me!. She also fronts the band Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers and has released solo work, including the albums *Stay Alive* and *Hole in My Head*. Grace gained significant attention for publicly coming out as transgender in 2012, becoming one of the first openly transgender figures in the punk rock scene, using her platform to advocate for transgender rights and visibility.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 8, 1980: Laura Jane Grace Born

On November 8, 1980, Laura Jane Grace, originally named Thomas James Gabel, was born. She is now known as the founder, lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist of the punk rock band Against Me!.

Others born on this day/year

1995: Arrest at the Beach

In 1995, at the age of 14, Laura Jane Grace was arrested at the beach on Independence Day for allegedly blocking traffic on the boardwalk. She was charged with resisting arrest and battery, placed under house arrest, and required to do community service, which she says politicized her.

1997: Dropping out of High School and Forming Against Me!

In 1997, at age 17, Laura Jane Grace dropped out of high school and began writing songs, naming the musical project Against Me!.

2000: First Marriage

In 2000, Laura Jane Grace was married.

2004: Divorce

In 2004, Laura Jane Grace's first marriage ended in divorce.

December 2005: Signing to Sire Records and Abandoning Feminine Expression

In December 2005, Against Me! signed to Sire Records. Following this, Laura Jane Grace swore off cross-dressing and other expressions of femininity, stating that she was male.

March 2006: Meeting Heather Hannoura

In March 2006, while touring with Alkaline Trio, Laura Jane Grace met visual artist Heather Hannoura.

2006: Becoming Vegan

In 2006, Laura Jane Grace became a vegan.

August 2007: Arrest in Tallahassee

In August 2007, Laura Jane Grace was arrested in Tallahassee, Florida, on battery charges following a confrontation at a coffee shop related to a defaced article about Against Me!.

December 2007: Marriage to Heather Hannoura

In December 2007, Laura Jane Grace married Heather Hannoura after a year-long engagement.

2008: Against Me! Joins Rock the Vote

In 2008, the Against Me! song "Stop!" was selected to be part of the Rock the Vote campaign, which aimed to encourage voting in the US presidential election.

2009: Birth of Daughter Evelyn

In 2009, Laura Jane Grace and Heather Hannoura's daughter, Evelyn, was born. Grace's dysphoria "started coming back really strong" around the time Hannoura became pregnant that February.

2010: Move to St. Augustine, Florida

In 2010, Laura Jane Grace, Heather Hannoura, and their daughter Evelyn moved to St. Augustine, Florida.

May 2012: Grace Comes Out as Transgender

In May 2012, Laura Jane Grace publicly came out as a transgender woman in an article published by Rolling Stone, announcing her plans to begin transitioning. She had informed her bandmates in February 2012 and chose the name Laura Jane Grace, with "Laura" being her mother's preferred name for her if she had been assigned female at birth, "Jane" chosen for its aesthetic appeal, and "Grace" being her mother's maiden name.

2012: Grace Reveals Transition Plans

In her 2012 interview with Rolling Stone, Laura Jane Grace revealed her plans to begin hormone replacement therapy and undergo electrolysis as part of her gender transition. She also expressed that she was considering gender-affirming surgery, though she was apprehensive about certain procedures, such as chondrolaryngoplasty and bottom surgery, stating her desire to live as a woman and undergo psychotherapy for a year before considering surgery.

2013: Separation and Divorce from Heather Hannoura

In 2013, Laura Jane Grace and Heather Hannoura separated and then divorced.

2013: Move to Chicago

Laura Jane Grace has lived in Chicago since 2013.

2015: Grace Discusses Gender-Affirming Surgery

In 2015, Laura Jane Grace shared her perspective on gender-affirming surgery, stating, "I think it's perfectly valid [for a trans person] to never undergo bottom surgery", highlighting the personal nature of gender affirmation choices.

May 2016: Grace Protests North Carolina Bathroom Bill

In May 2016, during an Against Me! show in Durham, North Carolina, Laura Jane Grace protested North Carolina's bathroom bill by setting her birth certificate on fire, declaring "Goodbye gender" as an act of protest.

December 2018: Grace Undergoes Facial Feminization Surgery

In December 2018, Laura Jane Grace underwent facial feminization surgery as a part of her gender transition.

January 2019: Grace Confirms Facial Feminization Surgery

In January 2019, Laura Jane Grace confirmed that she underwent facial feminization surgery in December 2018 as part of her gender transition.

2020: Grace Plays at Sanders Fundraiser

In 2020, Laura Jane Grace performed at a fundraiser for Bernie Sanders's campaign for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

December 2023: Marriage to Paris Campbell

In December 2023, Laura Jane Grace married comedian and content creator Paris Campbell, after meeting the month before.

March 7, 2025: Grace Performs on Sanders's "Fighting Oligarchy" Tour

On March 7, 2025, Laura Jane Grace performed on Bernie Sanders's “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here“ tour. Her performance of the song "Your God (God's Dick)" sparked controversy, drawing criticism from right-wing media outlets for its perceived "anti-Christian" message. Grace defended the song as relevant to the issues of censorship and transphobia under President Donald Trump’s administration.