DJ Pronoun Subaru

There is a brand new 2026 Subaru Outback in my neighborhood with a single bumper sticker that says "RESPECT PRONOUNS" on what appears to be an AI-generated floral background. It has an enigmatic, sinister energy. I imagine its owner carefully placing the sticker on and sleeping soundly that night, reassured that they have done everything they can to stop fascism. I've been trying to come up with a new name to release music under and suddenly, it came to me: DJ Pronoun Subaru. I like that it's nonsensical but also sounds like a slur that someone could call me. And I think that the words, when all of their meaning and associations are taken away, sound nice together.

Telling people the name has been an interesting social experiment. My friends think it's funny, but when I tell straight people, I can see them get kind of uncomfortable and examine me to decide how queer I am, what subgenre of queer person I might be, and whether I'm making an offensive joke or not. The word "pronoun" itself has been charged with a mysterious sanctity among well-meaning cisgender people. The DJ Pronoun Subaru name has unexpectedly helped me get past the stagnation I've been feeling with music. I think the silliness of it makes it easier to experiment without feeling pressured to do a perfect job. I like art best when irony is a protective case for something very sincere.

Written March 2026.