Ryan Cassata

Ryan Cassata
Cassata performs at San Francisco Trans March 2015
Cassata performs at San Francisco Trans March 2015
Background information
Born (1993-12-13) December 13, 1993 (age 30)
Stony Brook, New York, U.S.
OriginBay Shore, New York, U.S.
GenresFolk rock, indie, alternative
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, public speaker, LGBT activist, actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Keyboard, Ukulele, Bass, Drums
Years active2007 – present
LabelsKill Rock Stars
SpouseStephen Meeneghan (m. 2023)
Websiteryancassata.com

Ryan Otto Cassata (born December 13, 1993) is an American musician, public speaker, writer, filmmaker, and actor. Cassata speaks at high schools and universities on the subject of gender dysphoria, being transgender, bullying and his personal transition from female to male, including top surgery in January 2012, when he was 18 years old.[1][2] He has made appearances on Larry King Live and The Tyra Banks Show to talk about being transgender. He has performed at LGBT music festivals and has gone on tours across the United States of America.[3][4] Cassata has performed at popular music venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center,[5] Whisky a Go Go,[6] The Saint, The Bitter End, SideWalk Cafe, Turf Club (venue) and Bowery Poetry Club. Cassata won a date on Warped Tour 2013 through the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands online competition and performed on the Acoustic Basement Stage on June 21, 2013, becoming the first openly transgender performer to play at the Vans Warped Tour.[7] Cassata also won a date on Warped Tour 2015 through the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands and performed on the Ernie Ball Stage on June 20, 2015.

Cassata composed the soundtrack for the 2010 short film "Loop Planes" which screened at various film festivals including the Tribeca Film Festival,[8] South by Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival,[9] and Hamptons International Film Festival.[10] "Distraction" and "Sleeping Through" from Cassata's 2011 EP "Distraction" make up the soundtrack. Cassata is the main subject of the full feature Danish produced documentary Songs for Alexis.[11] Songs for Alexis, produced by Copenhagen Bombay with help from the Danish Film Institute, had its world premiere at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival to a sold-out crowd on April 30, 2014.[12][13] Songs for Alexis had its United States premiere at Frameline Film Festival on June 28, 2014. Songs for Alexis also screened and sold out at DOC NYC.[14][15] Indiewire listed Songs for Alexis on its "10 Films You must Watch at Frameline 2014" article.[16]

  1. ^ "Challenges faced by transgender people discussed during National Coming Out Day". Asbury Park Press. October 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013.(subscription required)
  2. ^ "Ryan Cassata—Civil rights icon, fearless performer and headstrong teen". Long Island Pulse. March 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Ashland shows its pride at 2011 Southern Oregon Pride Parade". siskiyou.sou.edu. October 6, 2011.
  4. ^ "Film fest highlights Trans Pride Los Angeles weekend". sdgln.com. June 21, 2013.
  5. ^ "Ryan Cassata Wants to Be a Positive Example of Recovery: 'You Can Accomplish If You're Sober'". Billboard. December 12, 2019.
  6. ^ "RYAN CASSATA profile at". whiskyagogo.com. October 13, 2013.
  7. ^ "Perpetual Change – Ryan Cassata". tgforum.com. October 21, 2013.
  8. ^ "Loop Planes". tribecafilm.com. 2010. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  9. ^ "Loop Planes". swglff.com. 2010. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013.
  10. ^ "Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF): It Takes a Tough Tailbone". thepublishingcontrarian.com. October 15, 2010. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013.
  11. ^ "Songs for Alexis". dfi.dk. 2014.
  12. ^ "Hot Docs 2014: Songs for Alexis Review". dorkshelf.com. 2014.
  13. ^ "Hot Docs 2014 Spotlight: Songs for Alexis". 2014. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "Songs For Alexis DOC NYC". 2014.
  15. ^ "Songs For Alexis". frameline.org. 2014.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "10 Films You Must Watch at Frameline 2014". blogs.indiewire.com. 2014. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2014.