User:Jsloan28/Bessie Smith
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[edit]She is not only a famous black singer she is bisexual as well. Though was not very open about this at the time it was later speculated because during her first marriage with Jack Gee where she many affairs with both other women and men. It was later on fully confirmed that she was bisexual.
[edit]Bessie Smith is primarily a blues though she was in musicals. She was known more for her blues songs and was even titled the Empress of Blues. many of her songs had many ties to her own personal life and struggles like her sexuality at the time. A major song that seemed to be shown that could be seen as queer is "Prove it on Me". adds of this song depicted a bigger woman in a collar and tie outfit with a vest on appearing very masculine talking to two skinnier women dressed in femme drag. though it was written by Bessie it was performed by Ma Railey who would play the more masculine looking woman because she wanted to have the song be sung by a more butch type character. This was important especially in a time where the entertainment industry was converting to more middle-class white values.
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[edit]- I had referenced these sources based on the song
[1] ===
User:Jsloan28/Bessie Smith/Bibliography cite note-1
- ^ a b Doda, Zama (March 28 2019). "queer, black & blue: empress bessie smith's reign".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Katz, Jonathan (2014). "Ma Rainey's "Prove It on Me Blues," 1928, An assertive song of lesbian self-affirmation".