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During the Harlem Renaissance, many L.G.B.T. performers and entertainers used their artistic talents to express their sexuality openly, while others kept their private lives hidden. It is only in recent years that scholars have started to uncover the complexities of their lives, shedding light on who they truly were. Let’s take a closer look at some of the prominent L.G.B.T. figures of the Harlem Renaissance and the spaces where they lived and performed.
Ma Rainey, known as the “Mother of the Blues,” resided at 58 West 135th Street in Harlem. Gladys Bentley, a gender-nonconforming blues singer, lived on West 133rd Street. Bessie Smith, one of the most famous blues singers of her time, lived on Lenox Avenue and 145th Street. Jimmie Daniels, a popular cabaret singer, resided at 114 West 116th Street. Ethel Waters, a renowned actress and singer, lived at 580 St. Nicholas Avenue. Edna Thomas, a talented actress, called 1890 Seventh Avenue her home. Georgette Harvey, a prominent figure in the L.G.B.T. community, lived at 320 Manhattan Avenue. Alberta Hunter, a successful jazz and blues singer, resided at 133 West 138th Street.
During the Harlem Renaissance, various public and semi-public spaces in Harlem provided opportunities for L.G.B.T. individuals to socialize and express themselves. Theaters, lodges, cabarets, salons, nightclubs, parks, bathhouses, and streets all became hubs of L.G.B.T. life. These spaces allowed people in Harlem to explore new social connections and erotic possibilities that were not as readily available in previous decades. Some of the popular venues included Hamilton Lodge at Rockland Palace on 280 West 155th Street, Ubangi Club on 2221 Seventh Avenue, Swing Street on West 133rd Street, the Cotton Club on 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue, the Clam House on West 133rd Street, the Savoy Ballroom on Lenox Avenue, the Mount Morris Bathhouse on 28 East 125th Street, the Harlem Y.M.C.A. on 180 West 135th Street, and the Lafayette Theater on 2245 Seventh Avenue.
While discussions on race were common during the Harlem Renaissance, the exploration of sexuality was often viewed as scandalous. Some artists openly addressed the subject of sexuality, while others may have encoded their references, making them harder to detect. Prominent figures such as Alain Locke, Nella Larsen, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Richard Bruce Nugent, Carl Van Vechten, Harold Jackman, Maurice Hunter, and Claude McKay were part of this vibrant cultural movement. These individuals lived in various locations throughout Harlem, including West 135th Street, West 136th Street, West 127th Street, West 136th Street, West 55th Street, and West 134th Street.
Private spaces in Harlem, such as homes and apartments, provided opportunities for intimate socializing and sexual exploration that were not possible in public venues. These spaces hosted invite-only gatherings and rent parties that were primarily spread through word of mouth. Some of the notable residences included A’Leila Walker’s residence and the Dark Tower on West 136th Street, Wallace Thurman’s residence on West 136th Street, Iolanthe Sydney’s residence on West 136th Street, and the Alexander Gumby Book Studio on Fifth Avenue.
Efforts to revisit Harlem’s queer history have allowed audiences to reimagine the spaces of the Renaissance era and appreciate the underground aspects of everyday life in Harlem. By uncovering these hidden stories and celebrating the contributions of L.G.B.T. individuals during the Harlem Renaissance, we can gain a deeper understanding of this transformative period in American history.
Source: The NY Times
