June 10, 2023—Despite the national movement underway to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people, this year’s Pride Month celebrations have been more vibrant than ever! This is an important time to acknowledge and affirm the positive impact and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community of color, especially to our nation’s arts and culture.
Not only am I inspired by their historic contributions, I also am encouraged by the diverse younger artists who are mustering the wisdom, strength, fortitude and conviction to utilize their work to boldly address the complex issues of race, identity, love, as well as upend traditional, heteronormative views.
In honor of Pride Month, I have compiled a partial list of LGBT+ artists and cultural activists whose vision, works and efforts call upon us to recognize that their fight—the fight for the recognition of their humanity, the right to respect, self-determination, as well as Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access—is a fight for human rights!
I invite you to check out their work:
Documentary Films:
Visual Artists:
Books:
Queer & Trans Artists of Color: Stories of Some of Our Lives (3 volumes)
Must Read books by LGBTQ+ BIPOC Authors
Music:
The Next Generation of Latin LGBTQ Stars
50 Great Albums by Queer Artists of Color
In closing, I encourage you to take time to screen this short interview with South African photographer and arts activist Zanele Muholi, whose work personifies that “every human is beautiful.” You will find the 7-minute interview at this link. It was conducted by the Tate in conjunction with an exhibition of her work.
As always, I would like to know what you think. What other LGBTQ artists and cultural workers of color would you add to this list? I invite you to share your thoughts below.