True Trans Soul Rebel

In 1982, she introduced the hardcore scene—and the world—to bands like Agnostic Front and Beastie Boys. Your introduction to Donna Lee Parsons is long overdue.

Rat Cage Records founder Donna Lee Parsons (center), alongside some of the work that she put out into the world.

I.

It was on the front page of her personal website that Donna Lee Parsons chose to begin her story with a short vignette about a boy.

“I sit on the sofa in the parlor and ole Dave Ratcage has just gone out the door,” she wrote. “Moments before, I had told him, ‘You were a wonderful boy, but much as I do so love you, David, we just cannot be. There are things that I must do… without you.’ And so he is walking away down the sidewalk hunched over with that walk of his, looking a little downtrodden. It’s true we had lots of fun together. He would buy me clothes, and he really enjoyed it when I got dressed up for him, and he was so loving and appreciative. I watch him go. Soon he will be out of sight and I must watch him until he disappears around th…