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#EthelWaters (1896-1977) was an American actress and singer. She was the first to sing the famous song "Stormy Weather" at the #CottonClub. She says she sang the song "from the depths of the private hell in which I was being crushed and suffocated. " Waters was the first #AfricanAmerican to have her own tv show (The Ethel Waters Show) and be nominated for a prime time #Emmyaward. She's the second African American to be nominated for an #AcademyAward. Waters was the first black performer to integrate Broadway, and quickly became its highest paid performer, but she still had difficulty finding work as a result of her race. While Waters never publicly acknowledged her sexuality, she lived with her girlfriend Ethel Williams and was known in Harlem's lesbian scene. Her music also had a large gay following. "It has been an ache and a joy both to look over this big shoulder of mine at all my yesterdays." https://www.instagram.com/p/CLzp6U-Dpit/?igshid=166rsqahcemmw

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#StaceyannChin is a Jamaican #poet, #performer, and #LGBT activist. She co-wrote and was one of the original performers for #DefPoetryJam. Chin has a long list of awards including the 2009 New York State Senate Special Human Rights Award. Chin faced discrimination living as an out lesbian in #Jamaica, so she came to America searching for a more tolerant space. This is also when, in reaction to being in this new place, she began to write her poems. Chin's work deals with gender, sexuality, and discrimination. She became a single mother through in vitro fertilization, and her latest one woman show called "Motherstuck!" speaks about this experience and her struggles. "But Walcott never wrote about things like women’s rights and he didn’t talk about sexual violence or different kinds of families, or queerness. What’s missing from this serious poetry was any kind of celebration of not just my sexuality but my mind, my sexualness as a woman." ***here is additional text*** "I met #DerekWalcott and he invited me to come study with him for six months in Boston and studied with him and learned quite a bit of poetry from him and how to write and how to turn of phrase and how to make meaning of a thing. And then he said to me, “You’d be a great writer if you would stop writing about your vagina and this feminist stuff.” So I’d say no and I folded that dream away and thought, “Okay, I do this important work, but I’m not a poet.” And you know it was interesting because the thing that he said that I should get rid of was the thing that made me a writer. And so if I if I stopped doing that, I knew I couldn’t write anymore." https://www.instagram.com/p/CLw34aZD4iS/?igshid=2j7khdbliqjo

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#KatBlaque (1990) is a black YouTube, activist, and trans woman. She has been creating videos one the intersections of Black, trans, and female issues since 2005. For many years Blaque was the only person with a larger platform addressing these issues. One of her most successful series is the True Tea series where she talks about these issues in an extemporaneous way. "When I was younger, and I would close my eyes and imagine what the future of my life would be, I couldn't imagine it. So a lot of the reason why I've been on YouTube is just basically being there ... is a form of representation in this new media age. I like to just be there, be a face, to represent to young trans, queer, and questioning people that you can live and grow up and become a functioning adult and be transgender. " https://www.instagram.com/p/CLulRVPDV6I/?igshid=1j2i7eo65rjgb

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Reverend Irene Monroe is an African American lesbian reverend, theologian, activist, and public speaker. She writes and speaks on the intersections of critical race theory, queer, and religious studies. Her work has even been praised by the UN for fighting against homophobia both in the United States and the whole world. "Because homophobia is both a hatred of the “other ” and it’s usually acted upon ‘in the name of religion,” by reporting religion in the news I aim to highlight how religious intolerance and fundamentalism not only shatters the goal of American democracy, but also aids in perpetuating other forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism and anti-Semitism.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CLsGiFfD1Sv/?igshid=1eg69raz10ovi

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Big Freedia (1978) Freddie Ross Jr., better known by her stage name Big Freedia, is an American rapper. She is a gay man who uses she/her pronouns. Her songs have helped to bring bounce music into the mainstream. Big Freedia is a New Orleans native, and had to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina. She was one of the first artists to return after the storm, and is now in the New Orleans community for having constantly worked to provide entertainment in the hard times that followed. In 2010 she self released an album titled Big Freedia Hitz Vol. 1, which eventually made its way onto the US Billboard chart and was released on Scion A/V. She currently has her own TV show called Big Freedia Bounces Back, which has been airing since 2014. She is also done several collaborations with major artists, including Beyoncé, who uses her words to open her Formation world tour. "You know, a lot of times I see that. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ Yeah I see that a lot, but I hold that in and let everyone express themselves the way that they choose, because we all don’t dance the same. We all don’t have the same rhythm. Some people like to take it over the top, some people like to do things differently. I accept it all." #bigfreedia https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpJHGaD2Bg/?igshid=f9j64iru2rqm

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Montero Lamar Hill, better known as Lil Nas X, is a gay rapper. His hit song "Old Town Road," was on the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart for 19 weeks, making it the longest running number one song on the chart ever. Nas X came out as gay during this time, making him the only artist to do this while having a number one record. Coming out at that time brought a lot of attention to his LGBT status and discussion around homosexuality amongst black men. He is the first and only openly gay artist to win a Country Music Association award. By becoming so successful with a country song as a gay African-American man, Lil Nas X has generated a lot of discussion about the stylistic and racialized aspects of country and rap music. In many cases, he was snubbed as a country music star because of his race, despite Old Town Road being a clear country music song. The implication in this case was that “real” country music could only be made by white people. Lil Nas X’s continued success breaks barriers in the music industry. He's a country singer. He is a publicly gay black male. He is a rapper. He comes from poverty. His success did not come from a record label, but his own social media. All of these aspects together make Lil Nas X a one-of-a-kind artist. "But the one thing I'll always know is that people don't know what they want until they get it. They didn't know they wanted a song about taking a horse to the old town road in 2019. But they did." #lilnasxoldtownroad https://www.instagram.com/p/CLm0-nuDk-I/?igshid=1xyt4yo0nch1y

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#YasminBenoit (1996-) This week is #AromanticSpectrumAwarenessWeek! Benoit is an English #aromantic #asexual activist and alternative lingerie model. She is of #Trinidadian, #Jamaican, and #Barbadian descent. She is the creator of the hashtag #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike. It fights the stereotype that asexuals simply are too ugly to get into relationships. Benoit first came out publicly in 2017 through a video on her channel titled "Things Asexual Girls Don't Like to Hear." She decided to talk about it after dealing with years of pressure from others each time she mentioned her asexuality. "I may not be the first four letters, but I do not relate to the heterosexual experience in the slightest" . . . . . #everyoneisequal #acesexual #asexuals #lgbtactivism #acearo #greyasexual #asexualspectrum #asexualawareness #grayasexual #asexualgirl #asexualcommunity #asexualsarevalid #youarevalid #lgbtplus #supportqueerartists #greysexual #asexual #queerpride #asexualpride #grayace #greyromantic #aromanticism #aromanticspectrum https://www.instagram.com/p/CLhT-89DOoP/?igshid=23guqc8wmxlj

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#BarbaraSmith (1946) Smith is a black #lesbian feminist and socialist. She is the inventor of the term #identitypolitics which she created to describe the intersectional identities which are used by society to oppress black women, and particularly black lesbian women. #KimberlyWilliamsCrenshaw's concept of intersectionality draws from and builds upon Smith's earlier idea. Smith, has been dedicated to literature and writing. She was particularly inspired by #Baldwin's "Go Tell It on the Mountain " to become an expatriate author. Because of the social movements of the 60s she decided to apply her efforts at home instead. After taking a course with Alice Walker, Smith dedicated herself to teaching women writers of color. Smith, along with her friend #AudreLorde, created the Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. This press helped to bring many of the Black female authors you know and love, like #ToniMorrison and #AliceWalker, into the limelight. "Feminism is the political theory and practice that struggles to free all women: women of color, working-class women, poor women, disabled women, lesbians, old women - as well as white, economically privileged, heterosexual women. Anything less than this vision of total freedom is not feminism, but merely female self-aggrandizement." "Antifeminists are incapable of making a distinction between being critically opposed to sexual oppression and simply hating men. Women's desire for fairness and safety in our lives does not necessitate hating men. Trying to educate and inform men about how their feet are planted on our necks doesn't translate into hatred either." . . . . . #blackhistorymonthfacts #blackhistorymonthiseverymonth #happyblackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth #blackculture #melanated #melanin #blackhistoryfact #blackmovement #blackawareness #blackhistory #harlemrenaissance #embracingblackculture #blackandqueer #queerandblack #blackqueermagic #blackvoices #bhm #feminismforall #feminismquotes #feminismisforeverybody #feminismointerseccional https://www.instagram.com/p/CLfE8GpjoRj/?igshid=gnwvuxuw2fqf

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#AudreLorde (1934-1992) Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet. Today would have been her birthday! Audre Lorde was a #lesbianwriter, #librarian, and #civilrightsactivist. She was born in New York to #Grenadian and #Barbadian parents. She was a tireless champion for the causes that were dear to her: #womensrights, #anticapitalism, #LGBTrights, and #Blackadvancement. Along with #BarbaraSmith and #CherrieMoraga, she founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, which was the first United States publisher specifically for women of color. She was also one of the founders of the Women's Coalition of St. Croix which help women who dealt with sexual violence. As part of the establishment of Sisterhood in Support of Sisters, she worked to help women who were harmed by the apartheid in South Africa. Lourde was a poet and her command of language is what has endeared her to so many. She was able to put difficult issues and feelings into understandable words. This wasn't always so easy for her, and she grew up having an extreme difficulty communicating with others. Poetry was the way she learned to communicate. "When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak." "When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." (I also appreciate that she was severely nearsighted, just like me 🤓) . . . . . #womanism #feminismisforeverybody #feminismonegro #feminism #womenempowers #feminismisequality #thefutureisintersectional #feministartists #feministsunite #feministmovement #womensright #intersectional #feministquote #feministpoetry #intersectionalfeminist #feministasfuck #feminist #feministartist https://www.instagram.com/p/CLcz5Xsjm44/?igshid=hdj27mu2y4rl

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#Jean-MichelBasquiat was an American painter of #Hatian and #PuertoRican descent. He could be considered a genius in many respects. Basquiat's mother encouraged a love of arts in him and he attended an exclusive private arts school from the age of seven. Basquiat's artwork has continued to gain in value over the years and his painting "Untitled" is considered to be one of the most expensive painting ever purchased at $100 million. Recently his work "We Are All Warriors" is expected the most expensive Western artwork auctioned in Asia. Basquiat's artwork drew expensively from his cultural roots, including Spanish words and African history. These references were often not understood by art critics during his time, and unfortunately they were not explored as deeply as they should have been as a result. Basquiat dated Madonna and was thought to have had a relationship with Warhol. Jennifer Clement described Basquiat's approach to attraction as "as: "... not monochromatic. It did not rely on visual stimulation, such as a pretty girl. It was a very rich multichromatic sexuality. He was attracted to people for all different reasons. They could be boys, girls, thin, fat, pretty, ugly. It was, I think, driven by intelligence. He was attracted to intelligence more than anything and to pain." "The black person is the protagonist in most of my paintings. I realized that I didn't see many paintings with black people in them." "For a while, I was drawing on good paper, but now I've gone back to the bad stuff. I put matte medium on it. If you put matte medium on it, it seals up, so it doesn't really matter." (That second quote is a good reminder that supplies are not the most important thing!) . . . . . #blackhistorymonthfacts #blackhistorymonthiseverymonth #happyblackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth #blackculture #melanated #melanin #blackhistoryfact #blackmovement #blackawareness #blackhistory #harlemrenaissance #embracingblackculture #blackandqueer #queerandblack #blackqueermagic #blackvoices #bhm #blackartistconnected #blackartistmovement #blackartistry101 #blackartistsmovement #afroamerican #afrocentricart #blackartspace #africanamericanart #black https://www.instagram.com/p/CLaCvrbDVoa/?igshid=22taar6l37k9

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#KamaLaMackerel is an artist and writer who is originally from #Mauritius. They create work dedicated to the exploration of love, justice, decolonization, and self empowerment. They have just released a book of poetry titled "ZOM-FAM" that is considered one of the top Canadian books of 2020. ⠀ "As someone who was assigned male at birth and had to reclaim my femininity through the years and repress my femininity when I was a child, I had to repress that artistic and creative side of me. It allowed me to find myself and who I am.”⠀ (As a fellow Black immigrant artist, I find their work super inspiring!) ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #blackhistorymonthfacts #blackhistorymonthiseverymonth #happyblackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth #blackculture #melanated #melanin #blackhistoryfact #blackmovement #blackawareness #blackhistory #harlemrenaissance #embracingblackculture #blackandqueer #queerandblack #blackqueermagic #blackvoices #bhm https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXCJUljyjE/?igshid=1tpdo9enqfnv4

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## If you love #RockandRoll, you have #SisterRosettaTharpe to thank. She's considered the godmother of rock and roll. Her music and style has influenced many of the greates names in rock like #LittleRichard, #ChuckBerry, #ArethaFranklin, #TinaTurner, and #JerryLeeLewis. ⠀ Tharpe was a gospel singer, and her song "#StrangeThingsHappeningEveryday" was the first gospel crossover hit. It climbed to number 2 on the "race records" Billboard chart. ⠀ “Can't no man play like me. I play better than a man”.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #womeninrock #sisterrosettatharpe #rockandrollhalloffame #rythmandblues #gospelsinger #christianmusician #gospelsong #gospelsongs #gospelmusician #churchmusic #gospelsingers #gospelmusicians #gospel #blackmusician #blackmusichistory #blackmusiclovers #blackmusichonors #blackmusicians #blackmusicmatters #blackmusic https://www.instagram.com/p/CLUqstPDS8H/?igshid=3h475rk6bw0o

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#MaRainey is one of the first recorded #blues artists ever. She performed with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels and even recorded songs with artists like #LouieArmstrong. In fact, her signature gravelly voice influenced Armstongs's performance, as well as the style of #JanisJoplin and #BonnieRaitt. Rainey developed a relationship with #BessieSmith, another blues singer who was considered the best of her time. Her lyrics were notable for talking about the full range of Black female experiences and sexuality in a way that was not being done at the time and for a long while after. They said I do it, ain't nobody caught me. Sure got to prove it on me. Went out last night with a crowd of my friends. They must've been women, 'cause I don't like no men. It’s true I wear a collar and tie. Makes the wind blow all the while. https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPyEI-DPWk/?igshid=3wsz7wo53ia6

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#JanelleMonáe is a #pansexual, #nonbinary singer, songwriter, and actress. Her music has a wide range of influences and the visuals accompanying it often explores themes of #afrofuturism. "One of my mantras is, 'Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable.' I keep that with me in my back pocket. Shoot, I keep it in my front pocket! I keep it in my hair." (Secret time. Back when Facebook had just opened up to the public, Janelle Monáe Facebook friended me. This was before #Metropolis came out so she wasn't a household name yet! I just thought she was a random pretty lady. Silly me rejected the request 😂 ) . . . . . #blackactresses #blacktheatre #janellemonae #dopeartist #atlrapper #blacktalent #musicicon #blackhistorymonthfacts #blackhistorymonthiseverymonth #happyblackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth #blackculture #melanated #melanin #blackhistoryfact #blackmovement #blackawareness #blackhistory #harlemrenaissance #embracingblackculture #blackandqueer #queerandblack #blackqueermagic #blackvoices #bhm https://www.instagram.com/p/CLNgEvtjcxq/?igshid=1bjql40p0vzo4

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#TracyChapman is a multi platinum and multiple #Grammy award winning singer and songwriter. "Give Me One Reason" is her most successful song and won the 1997 Grammy for best rock song. She's known for her distinctive voice. ⠀ Chapman is very private and has a strong separation between her work and personal life. She is an activist and frequently supports charities. ⠀ "Songwriting is a very mysterious process. It feels like creating something from nothing. It's something I don't feel like I really control. "⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #blackhistorymonthfacts #blackhistorymonthiseverymonth #happyblackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonth #blackculture #melanated #melanin #blackhistoryfact #blackmovement #blackawareness #blackhistory #harlemrenaissance #embracingblackculture #blackandqueer #queerandblack #blackqueermagic #blackvoices #bhm https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKfhM4jw3g/?igshid=1qq3t1ainqu7o

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Cece McDonald is a trans activist. In 2012 she accepted a plea bargain for defending herself against a man who assaulted her because of her gender. News of her situation got international attention after an Ebony article about her case. ⠀ Laverne Cox has said that she played her character on Orange is the New Black in homage to Cece. She was released from jail in 2014. A documentary about her experiences in jail was released in 2016.⠀ "I would have rather been punished for asserting myself than become another victim of hatred."⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #orangeisthenewblack🍊 #lavernecox #endhomophobia #queerpeopleofcolor #gayicons #blackqueermagic #queerpoc #lgbtqai #queerpride #qpoc #blackhistorymonthiseverymonth #embracingblackculture #blackandqueer #queerandblack #happyblackhistorymonth #blackawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/CLHovl3D4Fz/?igshid=jhfly29qn3h9

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#JanetMock is one of the most, if not the most, prominent #transactivists today. She set out to be the fabulous #transwoman that she never got to see in her youth. After becoming a #sexworker to pay for her #sexconfirmationsurgery, she got a masters in journalism and wrote several memoirs. In 2018 she became the first #transgender #womanofcolor to write and direct a television episode. “I wanted a genie to pop up and grant me three wishes – to get all this over with, to have a financial safety net and to be comfortable. But I wouldn’t take anything from my experience because it built my resolve; my core. I fought for every single thing I have now.” “There are trans girls who are still navigating these spaces and wanting to learn and grow and they need something fun to look at when they see themselves. They don’t just need to know the tragedy and trauma of being trans. They also need to know how to better be, how to better live, how to better dream.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CLFaQEgjBax/?igshid=4vunr3rm8fja