I Am Not Your Negro

According to annual Gallup polls, more and more people are identifying as LGBTQ+, but headlines like “drag shows banned from public” and “trans youth banned from receiving healthcare” have dominated the news cycle for years. These relentless attacks on queer bodies have inspired a new generation of activists to seek ways to not just survive but live purposefully, openly, and authentically.

Throughout our country’s history, Black queer communities have been on the frontlines of racial and gender-based violence. Black queer communities also have a long history of working at the forefront of artistic innovation, political activism, and cultural resistance. From the Harlem Renaissance to contemporary movements, Black queer artists, cultural workers, and activists have shaped American history and mainstream culture, while rarely being credited for their monumental influence.

This presentation will trace the evolution of Black Queer counter/subcultures through a variety of case studies across artistic mediums, from the rise…