Black History & LGBTQ+ History Month! : Remembering Sylvester

Travel back in time with me for a moment?

It’s the late 70s in the United States and all you can see are platform shoes, bell-bottom pants, brightly coloured clothing and big hair. The disco scene is up and thriving and many artists like Donna Summer, Earth Wind & Fire and even the Bee Gees are playing on your radio. The nightlife is nothing like what you’ve seen before. In a time like this, it’s easy to forget queer figures who were equally thriving in this time and in comes Sylvester.

Sylvester, born Sylvester James Jr., grew up in Los Angeles, California began his singing journey in the church which he and his grandmother frequently attended. Growing up Sylvester wanted more for his life and so he moved to San Francisco. In San Franciso, he would begin performing in a musical production called Women of the Blues before becoming a star attraction of the Cockettes, a gender-bending avant-garde theatre troupe.

Picture Courtesy of The Cockettes

After leaving The Cockettes Sylvester continued performing and even releasing multiple albums. His powerful and soulful voice, flamboyant stage presence, and energetic live shows won the hearts of many. He had a string of hit singles and albums, including "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance (Disco Heat)," which charted and became dance music anthems.

Sylvester’s bold and flamboyant image was not only seen in his stage performance but in his everyday life. This often included gender-nonconforming styles and glittery costumes, colourful big hair and makeup accompanied by various exciting statement pieces. In the 1970s the representation of queer people on television or the radio was vastly less than what we see today so for many queer individuals, Sylvester who was openly gay became a symbol of empowerment and self-expression, and he continues to be an icon to this day.

Photo Courtesy of Black Kudos on Tumblr

Sadly, Sylvester would die in 1988 at the age of 41 due to AIDS-related complications. Despite his brief career, he left a legacy that has had a long-lasting impact on popular music and culture. Sylvester is an icon and should be celebrated for his music, his fashion, and his impact on the black queer community as his health deteriorated.

Photo Courtesy of POBA on Tumblr