Guitarist and engineer Josie Scott battled crippling gender dysphoria for decades before finally deciding to live openly as a trans woman in her 60s.

In 1984 in Adelaide, two brothers formed a pioneering alternative rock band called The Mark of Cain.

They wanted to make music that was heavy and intense with lyrics about war, and death, and being misunderstood.

Over the years the band gained an international following and plenty of fans at home in Australia.

Earlier this year, one of the band's two founders, Josie Scott, announced on the band's website that she was a trans woman.

At the age of 63, Josie wrote that she had finally decided to 'embrace rather than endure who she is'.

And her decision to go public with her story was met with a huge and loving response from fans of the band.

Help and support is always available

Call QLife on 1800 184 527 for LGBTIQA+ peer support

Lifeline is available on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 is available for young people aged 5 to 25.

This episode was produced by Jen Leake and the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores gender identity, music, Australian music, living authentically, transgender issues, male to female transition, drug abuse, substance abuse, addiction issues, romance, love, relationships, mother child relationships, heavy metal, Adelaide's music scene.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The post-punk guitarist who decided to finally live openly as herself, a trans woman

Conversations

The post-punk guitarist who decided to finally live openly as herself, a trans woman