NYC Subway Voice Bernie Wagenblast Transitions On-Air

For four decades, Bernie Wagenblast's deep, familiar voice guided millions of New Yorkers through subway stations every single day. When she came out as a trans woman in 2023, she made history by transitioning publicly while keeping her job as the city's most-heard announcer.

At first, Wagenblast continued using her assumptively male voice for her transit announcements. But on Trans Day of Visibility in 2024, she partnered with NYC's Metropolitan Transit Authority to launch something extraordinary.

The "In Transit" campaign included a podcast series where Wagenblast discussed trans health, history, and resources. Posters across subway stations directed riders to important locations in trans history, with messages like "trans visibility is now arriving" and "the next stop is a more inclusive city."

The most powerful moment came when Wagenblast's new, more feminine voice replaced her old recordings throughout the entire subway system. Millions of commuters heard her authentic voice welcoming them aboard, making trans visibility part of everyday New York life.

"I hope that through the work we're doing with this campaign, we will be able to raise visibility and increase respect for all different types of people," she said in an Instagram video for the MTA. Wagenblast continues announcing today and was just named the 2026 grand marshal of NYC Pride.

The Ripple Effect

Wagenblast's journey spotlights an often-overlooked form of gender-affirming care that matters deeply to trans people everywhere. Voice coaching helps trans folks feel comfortable, stay safer in public, and express who they truly are.

The challenge is that working with speech and language pathologists can be expensive, and insurance coverage remains patchy. That's why providers like Jess Gibbard, a trans speech therapist in training based in Victoria, British Columbia, offer both paid and free voice coaching through digital sessions with clients worldwide.

"It's really important for trans people like myself to find a voice that feels more comfortable, that doesn't put us at risk out in public," Gibbard told local outlet Chek News. She uses visual cues and ongoing coaching to help clients at any stage of transition find confidence in their new voice.

Gibbard takes on volunteer work or discounted sessions because demand keeps growing. "Having the voice that is your voice, it's an unparalleled feeling, and it feels really nice being able to make a difference like this," she said.

From subway platforms to video calls around the world, trans people are finding their authentic voices and sharing them proudly.