“If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.” – Maya Angelou
Two Studs in a POD believes in celebrating those that are like us and have made their mark in the world for the benefit of the black and brown LGBTQ+ community. Many of these individuals are often overlooked in LGBT history despite having made undeniable contributions towards the advancement of all lesbian and gay rights. Staying true to our mission to be entertaining and informative, we’re here to shed some light on these amazing women.
Here you will find a collection of some of the most Poppin’ Super Terrific Uber Dykes you’ll ever find.
GLADYS BENTLEY
“If I put this thing on you baby, gonna be just to doggone bad“
The 1920’s built a different breed of entertainer during the days of the Harlem Renaissance. Known for her booming vocals and groovy scat skills, Gladys Bentley wowed audiences from the hallowed halls of the Apollo Theatre to the iconic gay speakeasy, the Clam House. Her unique style of dress and personality made her a favorite of many including author, Carl van Vechten, who was often in attendance whenever Gladys performed and wrote several novels based on his experience with the blues singer. Ahead of her time, Gladys’ raunchy lyrics included tales of bulldaggers and sissies without apology. It was this fearlessness that carried her name throughout the Harlem blues scene. Among her many fans, was the famed poet and historical icon Langston Hughes, who offered high praise of Gladys’ style and ability, once even being quoted as saying that her show was “an amazing exhibition of musical energy” and described her as, “a perfect piece of African sculpture, animated by her own rhythm”
Gladys a large, dark, masculine lady not only entertained the crowd with feet that pounded the floor and fingers that pounded the keyboard she kept them on their toes with the constant reinvention of herself. Even before gay marriage was a thing, Gladys proudly announced her marriage like civil union while being interviewed, going as far as to further defy the times by indicating that her union was with a white woman. The end of the Prohibition era also brought an end to the allure of Harlem Renaissance entertainment causing Gladys to once again reinvent herself. She relocated to California in the late 1930s and continued to perform in fancy bars and supper clubs, though her jaw-dropping act was softened a bit to suit the new audience.
A new era of conservatism in the 1950’s ushered in perhaps Gladys’ biggest reinvention ever. Succumbing to socio-political pressures brought on by false claims that homosexuality was detrimental to the safety and sanctity of the country, she claims to have undergone treatments that “restored” her womanliness and erased that devilish homosexuality.
Historians of the time familiar with her story speculate that her reports of being “cured” of her lesbianism were mostly likely a result of fear brought on by the McCarthy era attacks on homosexuality than the actuality of being cured.
Though the continuation of her career was short lived after this time, Gladys proved that she never lost it with an appearance on the Groucho Marx show “You Bet You Life” in 1958. Having lived a life beyond her years, Gladys spent her last days living with her mother in California before losing her battle with pneumonia in 1960.
Remembered today as a gifted talent and maverick ahead of her time – Gladys Bentley was definitely poppin!