They Cannot Erase Us was commissioned by the lyricist in honor of, and dedicated to, Tristan Miedema and the members of TRANScendent, the trans/nonbinary ensemble of the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus. Following the political attacks from Washington, DC, against the transgender community, as well as new legislation passed and signed into law in the State of Iowa, taking civil rights away from transgender individuals, the lyricist felt compelled to write these words as a civil rights anthem and protest song for the courageous members of this ensemble and their director. Pax Ressler, one of the leading and most talented trans composers writing songs for the trans/non-binary community, was commissioned to set these words to music and arrange the song for choral performance. They Cannot Erase Us premiered by TRANScendent at their 2025 Pride concert, and has been performed in the United States and by an All-Canada Two Spirit / Transgender / Non-Binary Chorus of 102 singers at the 2026 Unison Choral Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia.
