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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

The Cliks' Lucas Silveira wins Canada's Sexiest Man title

Lucas Silveira, the openly transgender lead singer of Toronto alt-rock band The Cliks, became the first transman to win the "Throw Your Underwear Award Male" (Sexiest Canadian Man) in the year end reader's poll from Chart Attack, Canada's premier music magazine. And while the long list of musical Canadian hotties might have several less familiar names to Americans, Silveira did narrowly beat out Avril Lavigne's ex, Deryck Whibley of Sum 41.

The androgynous Cliks have made headlines for their gender-bending style, being compared to David Bowie and other musical fashionistas. But their rock icon take on the classic suit comes with the genuine desire to just be themselves. In an interview with Queerty, Silveira said:

It wasn’t something that we sat down and said, “What’s going to be our look?” We kind of presented ourselves as “you know, this is rock n roll and you want to put on a good show and we just took it up a notch from our everyday style ... I think our label [Tommy Boy] and our management are really happy that we have this look, because image is as important in the music industry as what you’re selling with regard to your music.

This savvy sense of style has obviously caught the attention of Canadian fans. Whether because of, or in spite of The Clik’s queer overtures and Silveira’s out trans status, metrosexual sexiness has made Silveira a symbol of desirable masculinity. This is even more interesting considering that Silveira does not take testosterone.

While transmen are diverse in their levels of transition, taking hormones or not, opting to not have surgery or to have some and not others, testosterone injection has become on of the most culturally significant markers of trans masculinity. But Silveira knew that it would not serve his voice well. He tells About.com:

When I first realized that I wasn’t going to be able to go on T, I was very, very disappointed. Because I thought, finally, I’m going to be able to do this. But then I started doing the research and I discovered that it would do what it would do to my voice.

Essentially what testosterone does is it thickens your vocal cords. For about a two-and-a-half year period, you sound like a teenage boy going through puberty. Your voice is squeaky. As a singer, I know where placement is. I can go (he sings La, la, la, la, la) and if I took T and it started to modify my cords and I would go “La, la, la, la la” but it would come out “Ooahlagaya.” I can’t risk that. Because to me, my voice is number one. I couldn’t possibly deal with the fact that it could be damaged forever.

But Silveira has proved you can be a sexy man with or without a beard and wants to be a model of other trans guys who want to acknowledge their difference and their gender ambiguity.

I started thinking about that because I feel like, not only am I a voice for the trans community going out into mainstream, but there are guys like me. We’re they guys who are truly in the middle. I’ve had top surgery, but I’m not doing T. And to tell you the truth, I don’t know if I ever will. I feel very comfortable being where I am right now.

What do you think about Lucas being named Sexiest Man in Canada?

Mara's picture

Awesome!

 

_ _ _ _ _

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)

miss chatelaine's picture

awesome!

It really, really truly is brilliant. Lucas Silveira is terribly sexy. And I love that he's so open and willing to be a voice for the trans community.

However, Deryck Whibley, sexy, seriously? I still think he's that 20 year old kid with dyed blonde hair a foot high and married to Avril Lavigne. Sexy is not the first word that pops into my head.

Hornito's picture

Agreed!

I was hoping Lucas beat out someone who was actually attractive. Good for him though - I love me some Canadians!
shortypants's picture

The Cliks>>

 

I voted numerous times for the man. I was tickled when he won. :D

Deryck is not what I would call 'Hot' either BUT Leonard Cohen is: DAYUM that man can wear a suit! Coupled with that voice and that severe songwriting talent and you've got a dangerous combination.

SoupChef 's picture

awesome!

I'm like, the 3rd person to say "awesome"... and it really is ! I voted for Lucas, he's just so amazing!

It certainly gives the LGBT community more visibility and well...the award makes us, fans, really really happy and proud(er).  

Joey's picture

Lucas! *heart*

This is such great news! I'm happy for him!

 And I'd like to take this opprotunity to brag a little bit. I met him last summer and he is SUCH a nice guy, in addition to being sexy. ^_^

Jaguar's picture

awesome!!

 a was about to say cool but the other headlines will see a little awkard!

ahah anyways this its A W E S O M E !!

 he its cute!

 

"Oir y prestar atención
Embriagarse de amor
Es una fijación
Y el oficio que elijo

Poppy Gander's picture

Skinted

Hmmmm, I read this article cos I too love the Cliks. Then it occured to me: I need cash, should should I Ebay my T Shirt signed by the band?

(Lucas Silveira
Morgan Doctor
Nina Martinez
Jen Benton)

It's a red Outlaw T by RIGGED OUT/fitters (kinda cool, huh?)

Or will I just hate myself if I do?!

(No cash offers needed, just "Yes! Possessions are fleeting anyway and your cats need food" or "No!!! Are you crazy?? Regrets? you'll have at least one!") 

Cheers xx

jaye's picture

Don't do it....noooo step

Don't do it....noooo step away from the ebay.
Clore's picture

FTM, FTW! :D

this is pure awesomeness, and makes me oh so happy :D
ljohansen's picture

: D

pretty much amazing! how can you not love him or the cliks? the last picture is damn sexy.
quirkygirl's picture

Yay!

I'm so happy for Lucas. He's been such an inspiration for all the trans guys I know. Totally deserves it. 

I want to love you madly...

iluvpie's picture

LMAO

thats funny
Joey's picture

Why?

.
Steph's picture

Lucas.

Sexy?

Yes. Hell yes. Good for him. :) 

--- 

www.stephsoutinkl.blogspot.com

regularjo's picture

See...I'm so proud to be

See...I'm so proud to be Canadian because we can do something so NORMAL like pick Lucas Silveira as a sexy man without being all effin big dealy about it...

But then we put that jackass avril lavignes ex on the list too. I mean, I think I was in like 9th grade when sum 41 came out..are they even still around?!

Meshia's picture

Heck Yeah!!!

 He is so hot. I'm so proud of him and a country that can easily put a trans man on a list like that

 

It is better to be hated for who you are than loved for what your not.

sandilicious's picture

anyone else think...

this dude looks like tegan?

 

i dont know this badn and am not from canada, but i totally thought he was tegan on that 2nd photo!

cool story tho :) canada sounds like the place to be... wedo however have trans politicians representing small towns in New Zealand .

>>>>>>

sandi

Laura's picture

Agreed

I can't believe I'm saying this but this is one man that I find HOT. 

And trust me, that's big, because I am SO gay. 

:) 

 

"I am, you know"
"What?"
"Yours"

Anonymous's picture

:)

I am sooooo soooo GAY, but that man is hot! Maybe it's the tattoos or the hair or the guitar or the eyes, but he is hot lol
Lez Bliss's picture

Love Lucas!!

I absolutely love Lucas Silverman and the music he makes.  I discovered the Cliks quite accidentally and I was so thrilled I did.  My brother in law extra tickets to see some old 80s or 90s has been band who was on tour, and he called us up to go, so my wife and I thought this'll be lame, lets have some drinks and just have a good time.  So we were at the back of the center, pounding back the aweful drinks at the beer garden, when I suddenly started paying attention to the opening band on stage, and I hollered at my wife.. hey those are all Chicks! Hot chicks, lets go up to the front.  I stood at the front, right infront of Lucas, my mouth hanging open and awestruck.  I was in love.  And was loving the hot ladies in the band, and the music was amazing.  I was in a daze.  Best show I've scene. As soon as they were off the stage I went and bought the cd at the band table, and spent the next morning researching this amazing band online.  I am sad to hear the Cliks have since split, but I would like to see Lucas Silverman break out in a solo career.  I am also so excited at how he is being accepted into the music world as a trans individual, I think it is a great marker of progress in society.

shortypants's picture

Lucas Silveira>>

I'm glad you had such a great time!

The 'has been' band you probably saw was The Cult- and they are not 'has beens': they' re still touring and, I think, just dropped a new album. Ian is one of the best front men who has ever done it.

And Lucas's last name is 'Silveira' not 'Silverman.'

Also, the band did not split: Morgan Doctor (the drummer) and Jen Benton (the bass player) left the band but The Cliks IS Lucas and the band soldiers on (and will continue until Lucas says otherwise). The new additions to the band are Tobi Parks on bass (she's a lesbian, out, smokin' hot and can rock like a motherfucker!) and Brian Viglione on drums (formerly of The Dresden Dolls, who also rocks like a motherfucker).

With the departure of Morgan and Jen, this put a crimp in the touring plans BUT plans ARE being made. They should be hittin' the road sometime this spring.

kandice's picture

awsome

im proud to be canadian . and i love the cliks this is awsome how we can put him on this list. i agree wit everyone else hes hot lol even though im super gay lol
ashes.'s picture

love it.

He has an amazing voice too, on top of being totally hot. Have to put this here for those of you that haven't heard their music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QHSr2lEK4s&feature=related

Enjoy!

Chi's picture

Awesome #5

I've never heard of this dude nor the band, but i looooooove the voice! Danke Ashes. 

 heheh, i love how he's the only guy a horde of lesbians will ever admit to liking coz he's an FTM 

jamlawgirl's picture

Personally I identify as

Personally I identify as queer. I have been in relationships with cisgender women, cisgender men and trans persons. I don't see sex or gender as binary concepts and I'm not attracted to people based on their sex or gender.  So my finding Lucas hot in no way negates his identity as male.  Just speaking for myself, of course.
Neisha's picture

heheh, i love how he's the

heheh, i love how he's the only guy a horde of lesbians will ever admit to liking coz he's an FTM

That's propably because he's not taking testosterone, so for them he still looks properly.

Well, I for example, as mtf transsexual, would be kinda dissapointed if someone who's declaring to be totally gay man said he's attracted to me.

jamlawgirl's picture

Yay!!

Awesome. Lucas is hot as hell! I'm so glad the Canadians get that. Can I move to Canada now? *sigh*
Shower_Scene's picture

chattack.

'he' does look like T'Q in the second pic.

I voted for Ben Kowalewicz.

:)

jamlawgirl's picture

OK, as I consider myself a

OK, as I consider myself a trans activist (although I myself am not trans) and as I am the partner of a trans person, I have to say something here.

What is with the quotation marks around the word he?  I know you probably meant no offense but that does not mean it's not offensive.  It is the equivalent of someone putting airquotes around a same-sex 'marriage' or even around the word 'lesbian.'

For example, I don't know how many times I've seen homophobic comments on blog posts or online articles about a celebrity couple like Ellen and Portia where the commenter refers to theirs as a 'marriage.' It's offensive in that context and it's offensive in this one as well.

I'm sorry but I am so tired of the cisgenderism and borderline (and sometimes not so borderline) transphobia that I find in the gay community.  I guess I just expect better.  I mean, if this is taking place in our own community what should I expect from straight people?!

shortypants's picture

Word!

I am not partnered with a trans person but I am am an ally. I agree with each and every single word you just said.

Brava!

shortypants's picture

Word!

I am not partnered with a trans person but I am am an ally. I agree with each and every single word you just said.

Brava!

WHOOPS! Sorry for the double post! I don't know how to delete this thing.

Joey's picture

*claps*

YES! Everything you just said, for the win. ^_^
Jaguar's picture

WIN!!! xP

"Oir y prestar atención
Embriagarse de amor
Es una fijación
Y el oficio que elijo

Jaguar's picture

FAIL!!!

 'he' does look like T'Q in the second pic.

"Oir y prestar atención
Embriagarse de amor
Es una fijación
Y el oficio que elijo

Inkstain's picture

Yes! Go Lucas! I'm glad my

Yes! Go Lucas! I'm glad my country is so open-minded. :D
drwhorose's picture

Good for him! I knew I loved

Good for him! I knew I loved Canada for many reasons, now I have another.
apallingwasteofenergy4's picture

uhm...

  Lucas had an amazing voice,  just heard him..

-If you must carry a chip on your shoulder, get a job in a lumber yard, where it won't be noticed.-VOLTAIRE-

                                              

pancreas's picture

I love you Canada!

I love you Canada!
-SyLpH-'s picture

i never heard you sing Lucas

i never heard you sing Lucas but i'm liking your tattoo a lot...

 

"The more you resent someone, the more you think about the person. And the more you think about the person, the more you become like him."- SyLpH-

Matya Dio's picture

fabulous..   ;0)

fabulous..

 

;0)