[The new scene: Text message on monitor: Western Gurus. Unladylike 2020. Gladys Bentley. An effective montage out of images appear on screen. A photo off Gladys Bentley. Text message toward monitor: Gender-flexing singer & artist Gladys Bentley. 1907-1960.]

Voice: Gladys Bentley is a great talent to your piano and one of the couple women nowadays who was extremely boldly aside and you can unashamed away from their own queer desires.

– d They do say Really don’t work correct d d It’s unladylike d d The way i wanna alive my entire life d

We possess the rise out of doctors who research the latest research away from sex, that launching terminology instance “homosexual” and you may “heterosexual

[Text toward screen: Unladylike 2020. Unsung women who altered America. An excellent montage regarding colorful portraits various female. The new world: A video regarding “You bet Everything” of NBC, 1958.]

Lorraine Toussaint, Narrator: Organization singer and you may pianist Gladys Bentley made their just television physical appearance to the Groucho Marx’s “You bet Lifetime” comedy let you know.

– d We fell deeply in love with you the first-time d d We investigated all of them around vision d d You have a lovely nothing technique for flirtin’ d d Together there eyes d

Dwandalyn Reece, Curator regarding Music & Starting Arts, National Art gallery out-of Dark colored Records & Culture: Gladys Bentley, the way in which she presented by herself try usually from inside the an excellent tux and a high cap, but she and additionally encountered the cosmetics. She is constantly playing with label and you will speech and you can fluidity. Voiced of the Lisa Wilkerson: “You will find broken brand new accepted code out-of morals, nevertheless the industry applauded my cello to try out and track styling. Although individuals bitterly destined my personal traditions, they nonetheless you may take pleasure in my personal art while the a performer.”