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#OTD - June 3, 1906: Bisexual Singer, Dancer and Actress Josephine Baker Is Born.

#OTD – June 3, 1906: Bisexual Singer, Dancer, and Actress Josephine Baker Is Born.

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Singer, Dancer, WW2 French Resistance Spy, and Civil Rights activist. Josephine Baker was much more than just a banana skirt.

Josephine Baker, born on June 3, 1906 was an iconic figure in the world of entertainment. She was a French-American singer, dancer, and actress, known for her remarkable talent, charisma, and trailblazing spirit. Josephine Baker was also known for her open bisexuality, which was an important aspect of her personal life.

Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and grew up in a challenging environment. She faced poverty and racial discrimination, but her determination and passion for performance pushed her towards a brighter future. At the age of 13, she started performing on stage, and by the 1920s, she had gained significant recognition for her unique style and energy.

In 1925, Josephine Baker achieved worldwide fame when she traveled to Paris (Baker refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States ) and became an instant sensation at the Folies Bergère with her captivating performances. Her provocative dances, featuring her famous “banana skirt” and sensual movements, revolutionized the entertainment industry and broke numerous social barriers.

Baker was the most successful American entertainer working in France. Ernest Hemingway called her “the most sensational woman anyone ever saw”. The author spent hours talking with her in Paris bars. Picasso drew paintings depicting her alluring beauty. Jean Cocteau became friendly with her and helped vault her to international stardom.

Aside from her success on stage, Josephine Baker was also active in the French Resistance during World War II. She served as a spy, smuggling secret messages hidden in her sheet music and using her celebrity status to gather information for the Allies. Her bravery and contributions earned her several honors, including the Croix de Guerre and the Medal of Resistance.

Josephine Baker’s personal life was marked by her bisexuality. She had both romantic and sexual relationships with both men and women, which was considered taboo at the time. She was known for her affairs with prominent figures, including Frida Kahlo, Colette, and many others. Her openness about her bisexuality challenged norms and helped pave the way for acceptance and understanding of different sexualities.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Josephine Baker became increasingly involved in the civil rights movement. She actively fought against racism and segregation, refusing to perform for segregated audiences in the United States. Her contributions to the movement were recognized, and she was the only woman to speak at the March on Washington in 1963.

I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad. And when I get mad, you know that I open my big mouth. And then look out, ’cause when Josephine opens her mouth, they hear it all over the world.

josephine baker – march on washington – 1963

Later in her life, Josephine Baker adopted twelve children from different ethnic backgrounds, forming what she called her “Rainbow Tribe.” Her dedication to promoting racial harmony and acceptance through her family exemplified her commitment to social justice and equality.

Coretta Scott King approached Baker in the Netherlands to ask if she would take her husband’s place as leader of the Civil Rights Movement. After many days of thinking it over, Baker declined, saying her children were “too young to lose their mother”.

Josephine Baker continued to perform and advocate for civil rights until her death on April 12, 1975, at the age of 68. She received a full Catholic funeral at L’Église de la Madeleine, attracting more than 20,000 mourners.[The only American-born woman to receive full French military honors at her funeral, Baker’s funeral was the occasion of a huge procession. After a family service at Saint-Charles Church in Monte Carlo. Josephine  Baker was interred at Monaco’s Cimetière de Monaco.

Her legacy as a bisexual trailblazer, entertainer, and activist live on, and she is remembered as an LGBT icon of the 20th century.

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May 19, 1948 - Grace Jones: An Icon of Music and a Champion of the LGBT Community Is Born.

May 19, 1948 – Grace Jones: An Icon of Music and a Champion of the LGBT Community Is Born.

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The bisexual music icon and legend is a true warrior in the war for individuality and inclusion.

Grace Jones, the Jamaican-born singer, model, and actress, is a true icon of the music industry. With her unique androgynous style, powerful voice, and fierce stage presence, she has captivated audiences for decades. However, beyond her undeniable talent and success, Jones has also cultivated a strong and devoted following within the gay community, becoming an emblematic figure for queer individuals around the world.

Born on May 19, 1948, in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Grace Jones embarked on her journey to stardom in the 1970s. From the beginning, she defied conventional norms of femininity, embracing a bold and androgynous style that challenged traditional gender roles. Her striking looks, coupled with her fearless attitude, quickly caught the attention of the fashion world, leading to a successful modeling career.

Jones’s entrance into the music industry came in the late 1970s with her debut album “Portfolio.” Blending disco, new wave, and reggae influences, she established herself as a unique and boundary-pushing artist. Her subsequent albums, including “Nightclubbing” and “Slave to the Rhythm,” showcased her versatility and experimental nature, fusing genres and pushing artistic boundaries. Jones’s music resonated with the LGBTQ+ community, offering an anthem for self-expression, liberation, and nonconformity.

Jones’s connection with her gay fan base is rooted in more than just her music. She has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and a staunch supporter of the community throughout her career. Her presence in LGBT spaces, such as gay clubs and pride events, has fostered a deep sense of connection and admiration. By unapologetically embracing her own individuality, she has become an inspiration to many LGBT individuals who have faced societal pressures to conform.

Moreover, Jones’s fearless and bold approach to fashion has been celebrated within the LGBT community. Her elaborate costumes, extravagant makeup, and avant-garde hairstyles have made her an icon of fashion. Her willingness to take risks and challenge societal norms of beauty and gender has resonated deeply with queer individuals, who often find solace and empowerment in expressing their true selves through fashion.

Jones’s influence on the LGBT community extends beyond her music and fashion choices. As an openly bisexual woman, she has shattered taboos surrounding sexual orientation and continues to inspire queer individuals to embrace their identities fully. Her openness about her own experiences and her support for queer rights have made her a beloved figure within the community.

In recent years, as conversations about inclusivity and representation have gained prominence, the importance of figures like Grace Jones cannot be overstated. Her unapologetic embrace of her own identity and her unwavering support for LGBT rights have paved the way for a more accepting and diverse world. By using her platform to amplify queer voices and experiences, she has fostered a sense of belonging and acceptance within the LGBT community.

Grace Jones is much more than a talented singer and model; she is a beacon of empowerment and acceptance for the LGBT community. Her music, style, and advocacy work have resonated deeply with queer individuals, offering inspiration, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Grace Jones’s impact extends far beyond the stage, leaving an indelible mark on both the music industry and the fight for LGBT rights. As we celebrate her incredible career and influence, we also recognize the profound importance of representation and visibility in shaping a more inclusive society for all.

NYPD Re-opens Investigation Into Transactivist Marsha P. Johnson’s Death 20+ Years Later

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Transsexual activist Mariah Lopez has gotten the Manhattan D.A.’s office to assign someone to look more closely into the death of NYC icon and transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson whose body was found floating in the Hudson River off the West Village Piers shortly after the 1992 LGBT Pride March.

One of NYC’s best known and loved figures of the LGBT revolution Johnson was a leader in clashes with the police amid the Stonewall Riots  and was a co-founder, along with Sylvia Rivera, of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.) in the early 1970s. She also was the “mother” of S.T.A.R. House along with Sylvia, getting together food and clothing to help support transgender  youth and lesbian and gay kids both living in the house on the lower East Side of New York and at the piers on the Westside highway.

Police originally ruled Marsha Johnsons death a suicide. But  Johnson’s friends and supporters said she was not suicidal, and a people’s postering campaign later declared that Johnson had earlier been harassed near the spot where her body was found.

Attempts to get the police to investigate the cause of death were unsuccessful until now 21 years later.

Ms. Lopez is also pushing for a permanent tribute statue of Marsha P Johnson  by the Christopher Pier which would be a wonderful homage to one of NYC’s first and most loved Stonewall era icons.

H/T Queerty