Gladys Bentley

Gladys Bentley, born on August twelfth, nineteen oh seven, was a trailblazing American blues singer, pianist, and composer who made her mark during the vibrant Harlem Renaissance. She gained prominence in the 1920s at Harry Hansberry's Clam House, a renowned gay speakeasy in New York City, where she captivated audiences as a black, lesbian, cross-dressing performer. Bentley's unique style included dressing in men's clothing, complete with a signature tail coat and top hat, while she played the piano and sang her own provocative lyrics in a deep, growling voice.

In the early 1930s, Bentley headlined at Harlem's Ubangi Club, where she was supported by a chorus line of drag queens. Her performances were not only musically engaging but also visually striking, as she flirted with women in the audience, creating an atmosphere of liberation and celebration of identity. However, as the Harlem speakeasies began to decline with the repeal of Prohibition, Bentley's career took a turn.

Relocating to Southern California, she was billed as 'America's Greatest Sepia Piano Player' and the 'Brown Bomber of Sophisticated Songs.' Despite her talent, she faced frequent harassment for her choice of attire. Although she attempted to continue her musical career, she struggled to regain the success she once enjoyed. In a significant shift during the McCarthy Era, Bentley began wearing dresses and married, claiming to have been 'cured' by taking female hormones, which marked a poignant change in her public persona.