Every one be sure to check outhistory(.)org "Ma" Rainey. The poster art, the lyrics, and the gay history by Jonathan Ned Katz, wow! This Lesbian Anthem sung by a performer vaunting her bull dyke role is a must. “ I Went out last night with a crowd of my friends, it must've been women 'cause I don’t like no men. Wear my clothes just like of fan. Talk to the gals just like any old man.”
i'm using this video for a project i am doing for history, and she is one of the boldest people, because of coming out and saying she doesn't like men. i respect her, a lot.
Many Harlemites and Greenwich Villagers were lesbians, bisexuals, homosexuals, and transvetites in the 20s. There were many establishments that catered to the gay community (Madame CJ Walker's daughter was one of them). Just don't hear about it b/c race was a bigger issue then.
@NewYorkC93 true, and right on... in the 20s, there was a surge of increased acceptance for homosexuality, and sexuality in general... yet... especially for the black community, because they were under so much threat already just for being black...it was still dangerous to be out, you could still be arrested for cross-dressing and congregating. So it was pretty bold to talk about it openly. Just look at the Harlem Renaissance- none of those guys were out, except Nugent.
@NewYorkC93 true, and right on... in the 20s, there was a surge of increased acceptance for homosexuality, and sexuality in general... yet... especially for the black community, because they were under so much threat already just for being black...it was still dangerous to be out, you could still be arrested for cross-dressing and congregating. So it was pretty bold to talk about it openly. Just look at the Harlem Renaissance- none of those guys were out, except Nugent.
@NewYorkC93@NewYorkC93 true, and right on... in the 20s, there was a surge of increased acceptance for homosexuality, and sexuality in general... yet... especially for the black community, because they were under so much threat already just for being black...it was still dangerous to be out, you could still be arrested for cross-dressing and congregating. So it was pretty bold to talk about it openly. Just look at the Harlem Renaissance- none of those guys were out, except Nugent.
people talk about blue velvet being the fisrt ones to talk about gay relations but here we have Ma talking about being a lesbian in the 20's..lol, she was before her time.
Ma Rainey is my first love in music . That voice had a big impact on everybody.
Ma Rainey and Charley Patton are the two greatest singers in my book.
That book is so heavy i cant carry it around.
steinsteel 4 months ago
Epic!
filipzivojinovic 7 months ago
lucymusicfan, props.
Every one be sure to check outhistory(.)org "Ma" Rainey. The poster art, the lyrics, and the gay history by Jonathan Ned Katz, wow! This Lesbian Anthem sung by a performer vaunting her bull dyke role is a must. “ I Went out last night with a crowd of my friends, it must've been women 'cause I don’t like no men. Wear my clothes just like of fan. Talk to the gals just like any old man.”
rabdrake2447 9 months ago
Comment removed
rabdrake2447 9 months ago
Ma era bisexual y no lo escondió, vivió su vida como le dio la gana y eso está muy bien, fue siempre muy vanguardista y natural.
judith853 10 months ago
1928?? really?
damn, my country got no freedom yet in 1928! :O
this is still good to hearing in 2011 btw
mybe becoz i love b b b bluess yee e ee ah..
i hate lady gaga
excell19 10 months ago 3
@excell19 fuck the gays! they need love too!
leecorey1 9 months ago
Early Beat boxing, back in 1928! WOW!
Nomad7672 1 year ago
i'm using this video for a project i am doing for history, and she is one of the boldest people, because of coming out and saying she doesn't like men. i respect her, a lot.
bamnichole 1 year ago
Comment removed
ell3en 1 year ago
@ell3en I'm pretty sure that song is just an instrumental. But feel free to prove me wrong!
CookieTuff 1 month ago
This is one ballsy song. Respect to Ma Rainey!
oldmoviemusic 1 year ago 3
Comment removed
BabybluesLand 1 year ago
THE WOMAN WAS BOLD!!!!
AHA!!!!!!
spainishgirl 1 year ago 2
There's no such thing as being before your time.
People were born in the times they were made in.
Many Harlemites and Greenwich Villagers were lesbians, bisexuals, homosexuals, and transvetites in the 20s. There were many establishments that catered to the gay community (Madame CJ Walker's daughter was one of them). Just don't hear about it b/c race was a bigger issue then.
NewYorkC93 1 year ago 24
@NewYorkC93 true, and right on... in the 20s, there was a surge of increased acceptance for homosexuality, and sexuality in general... yet... especially for the black community, because they were under so much threat already just for being black...it was still dangerous to be out, you could still be arrested for cross-dressing and congregating. So it was pretty bold to talk about it openly. Just look at the Harlem Renaissance- none of those guys were out, except Nugent.
HKTeeVee 1 year ago
@NewYorkC93 true, and right on... in the 20s, there was a surge of increased acceptance for homosexuality, and sexuality in general... yet... especially for the black community, because they were under so much threat already just for being black...it was still dangerous to be out, you could still be arrested for cross-dressing and congregating. So it was pretty bold to talk about it openly. Just look at the Harlem Renaissance- none of those guys were out, except Nugent.
HKTeeVee 1 year ago
@NewYorkC93 @NewYorkC93 true, and right on... in the 20s, there was a surge of increased acceptance for homosexuality, and sexuality in general... yet... especially for the black community, because they were under so much threat already just for being black...it was still dangerous to be out, you could still be arrested for cross-dressing and congregating. So it was pretty bold to talk about it openly. Just look at the Harlem Renaissance- none of those guys were out, except Nugent.
HKTeeVee 1 year ago
@NewYorkC93 I mean, the song is basically saying, "I'm gay, but you can't prove it!".
HKTeeVee 1 year ago 7
people talk about blue velvet being the fisrt ones to talk about gay relations but here we have Ma talking about being a lesbian in the 20's..lol, she was before her time.
skyiscrying53 1 year ago 4
Awesome find indeed!
TheMizzezSmith 2 years ago 2
Thanks for posting this. What a find!
beteltree 2 years ago