"There's two things got me puzzled, there's two things I don't understand, that's a mannish-acting woman and a lisping, swishing, womanish-acting man." - Bessie Smith
At the turn of the 20th Century, there was a mass migration of African-Americans from the South to the North. These people formed concentrated communities in large northern cities, among them Harlem, New York. From approximately 1920-1935, Harlem thrived and marked a time in history known as the Harlem Renaissance. African-Americans from all walks of life bonded together in a spirit of togetherness, progress, and hope. There were Black writers, musicians, entertainers, and artists. Music centered around jazz and the blues.
While the main theme of the Harlem Renaissance was a raising of consciousness and pride among African-Americans, there was a notable homosexual element. Black gays and lesbians now had ample opportunities to interact. Many of the songs of the day, reflected this, hinting at homosexual behavior and bent gender roles. The Harlem Renaissance produced such notable gay, lesbian, and bisexual African-Americans as Langston Hughes, Ma Rainey, Richard Bruce Nugent, Bessie Smith, Gladys Bently, Alberta Hunter, Jackie "Moms" Mabley, Ethel Waters, and Josephine Baker.
Despite a certain amount of openness and tolerance during this time period, Black gays and lesbians still had challenges. Many chose to be discrete about their sexuality. Besides issues such as segregation, unemployment, high rents, and housing shortages that affected them as people of color, they also faced the same concerns as white homosexuals when it came to the police and newly developing psychiatric institutions. Homsexuality was considered either a crime or a sickness, respectively. Regardless of the challenges, Black gays and lesbians were able to develop a thiving community within their own African-American community and traditions. Their community also attracted white homosexuals, and in general, created alliances of friendship across economic and racial barriers.
Black homosexuals could be found socializing in caberets, night clubs, and speakeasies, at rent parties (private parties with cover charge to raise rent money), buffet flats (after hours spots that provided overnight accomodation, and sometimes featured illegal activities such as gambling, drinking, and prostitutions), and at costume balls (where people were free to dress as they chose and dance with whom they liked).
The Harlem Renaissance went into decline after the stock market crash in 1929, and after the repeal of prohibition.
"When you see two women walking hand in hand, just shake your head and try to understand." - George Hanna
Books:
The Harlem Renaissance: Hub of African-American Culture, 1920-1930, by Steven Watson
Gay Rebel of the Harlem Renaissance: Selections from the Work of Richard
Bruce Nugent, Duke University Press
Web Sites:
A Spectacle in Color: The Lesbian and Gay Subculture of Jazz Age Harlem
How Gay was the Harlem Renaissance?
Queer Television: Homo's in the Hood
The Memphis Guide: Ma Rainey Audio Tour
Reclaiming History: Bessie Smith