These Black Queer Artists Are Breaking Boundaries & Amplifying The Voices Of Today
Creating space and diversity
Written by Jake Levyns
Courtesy of Brianna Alysse, entertainment weekly
Anyone who identifies with a minority community knows how affirming it is to see themselves represented in the culture as they are. In a moment that calls on us to not only listen to Black voices and their stories but to consciously invigorate their platforms to keep them from fading into the background, it has never been more important for everyone to do their part in continuing this discourse. For those in the LGBTQ+ community especially, the stories they have to tell and the ones available for consumption are few and far between, so much so that the abundance of creators working today aren’t seen at the level they should. From film, to print, and music, keep reading for a spotlight of just a few of the Black queer artists currently disrupting the scene and shedding light on experiences that are beyond words.
Brandon Taylor: Real Life
The debut novel from author Brandon Taylor has been making waves among literary and queer people everywhere, having recently been shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize. This aching and atmospheric portrait of heartbreak, manipulation, and betrayal in a toxic graduate school town takes place over one weekend and threatens to upend the lives of everyone in it. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but there’s no denying how Taylor writes like his own life is on the line on every page, and will force anyone who can stand it to read until it’s finished without so much as a breath taken.
Kehlani: It Was Good Until It Wasn’t
The long-anticipated sophomore record from R&B songstress Kehlani Parrish is the album you didn’t know you needed right now. Never the one to shy away from her truth, over fifteen songs she spills it all and stays unafraid to leave her heart out in the process. Longtime fans will get their money’s worth from signature hits like “Can I” and “Water,” but will also find more reasons to respect her artistry in the underrated “Bad News.” This is the album to measure all that will come after it.
Justin Simien: Bad Hair (2020)
The second movie by writer-director Justin Simien arrives right in time for the Halloween season. Bad Hair, which is billed as a horror satire set in the late 1980’s music television scene, had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is set for release on Hulu October 23. Elle Johnson makes her feature film debut in the lead role of Anna Bludso alongside an all-star cast featuring Laverne Cox, Lena Waithe, Kelly Rowland, and Usher.
Pose
Arguably the most significant television program of the last decade, FX’s Pose has recently resumed filming their third season. Upon its peak in 2018, the landmark show made history enlisting the great Janet Mock for their writer’s room, who became the first transgender woman of color to direct and write for television. The show also has the largest principle transgender cast on TV, featuring Mj Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Angelica Ross, Hailee Sahar, and Dominique Jackson in the major-billed leading and supporting roles. Stream all episodes now on Netflix to get ready for what is sure to be an incredible next season!
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