Finding Her True Voice: A Subway Icon’s Journey as a Transgender Woman

The resonant voice is a familiar sound to the countless commuters navigating the bustling subway system of New York City. Its deep and commanding tone fills the tunnels, guiding passengers and politely cautioning them to “stand away from the platform edge.” For over a decade, Bernie Wagenblast has lent her voice to the automated announcements, providing a consistent auditory presence.

However, earlier this year, Wagenblast, now 66, took to the airwaves to reveal a different side of herself—a voice that is higher in pitch and softer in delivery. This new voice better reflects her journey of transitioning from the man she once was to the transgender woman she was always meant to be.

Wagenblast’s low, authoritative, yet gentle voice had been her career and livelihood for many years. However, she understood that her transformation would not be complete until her “guy voice” was replaced with a voice that truly represented her as a woman, both in its register and tonality.

Residing in Cranford, New Jersey, about 20 miles southwest of Manhattan, Wagenblast acknowledged the critical role her voice played in her life. Achieving an authentic female vocal quality was important to her. By sharing her story, she aimed to utilize her new voice, both literally and symbolically, to inspire and empower others who face similar struggles with gender dysphoria. These are challenging times for LGBTQ+ communities, as discriminatory legislation seeks to limit their rights across the country. Approximately 20 states have introduced bills to ban gender-affirming care, restrict transgender students from participating in girls’ sports teams or using certain bathrooms, and impose restrictions on drag performances.

“Simply by existing and sharing my story, I believe I can help people understand,” Wagenblast expressed, as she highlighted the significance of her presence in fostering understanding and empathy.

Wagenblast knew from a young age that she was meant to live as a girl. However, societal norms of the time compelled her to keep this truth hidden as she grew older. Embracing the voice she possessed, she pursued a career in radio, contributing to various stations in New York as an on-air traffic reporter.

More than a dozen years ago, Wagenblast secured the position that brought her voice to millions. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, responsible for operating the nation’s busiest public transit system, employed multiple announcers. Wagenblast’s voice became synonymous with the majority of numbered train lines. Another familiar message, “Stand clear of the closing doors, please,” was voiced by a different announcer named Charlie Pellett.

Now in semi-retirement, Wagenblast continues to create transportation-themed podcasts and newsletters.

While Wagenblast is currently retraining her voice to achieve a more feminine sound, she does not intend to abandon her former voice entirely. She retains the ability to switch between vocal registers, as she may still require her previous voice for professional purposes.

“I am grateful that millions of people recognize my voice,” she remarked. “Almost every New Yorker has heard my voice at some point, and that is truly mind-blowing to think that more than 8 million people are familiar with it.”

This transition will not impact the subway announcements that have made Wagenblast’s voice iconic. There are no plans to re-record her work for the MTA or the Port Authority of New York, which utilizes her voice for announcements on the AirTrain serving Newark airport.

Mindful of the hardships and emotional turmoil experienced by transgender individuals who are still afraid to live authentically, Wagenblast seeks to serve as a beacon of hope. Over the years, she disclosed her gender identity to her family, including the woman she eventually married.

“Before asking her to marry me, I shared this part of my life with my future wife, as I knew it would not change,” Wagenblast shared, emphasizing the importance of transparency before embarking on a lifelong commitment.

Together, they raised three daughters, but separated just before Wagenblast began socially transitioning and presenting as a woman.

Last autumn, during a community event, Wagenblast made her public debut as a woman. She adorned herself in a wig, borrowed a dress, and had a friend apply her makeup.

“In the past year, Bernie had concerns about acceptance—acceptance of her true self, her appearance, and her voice,” explained Nicole Brownstein, a friend and organizer of a support group at a New Jersey pride center.

Brownstein described coming out as a double-edged sword that amplifies the visibility of transgender communities but also exposes individuals to potential scrutiny and targeting.

As Pride Month is celebrated in communities across the country, transgender rights take center stage at parades and other events, symbolizing solidarity. The organizers of New York City’s annual Pride Parade, the largest commemoration of the 1969 riots that ignited the gay rights movement, acknowledge that hostile acts disproportionately affect transgender individuals and are deeply distressing, even if not unprecedented.

While waiting for a train at Grand Central Terminal, a rider named Billy Navarrete expressed her indifference towards the gender identity of the voice she currently hears.

“I think it’s irrelevant because now they are living as their true selves. So I’m happy for them,” she said, promptly correcting her pronoun to “her.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about transgender empowerment

More about transgender empowerment

• The New York Times article – “As a transgender woman, a New York City subway icon finds her own voice”
• LGBTQ+ Rights – Human Rights Campaign resources on LGBTQ+ rights
• Gender Dysphoria – American Psychiatric Association’s information on gender dysphoria