T'Ain't Nobody's Bizness:

Queer Blues Divas of the 1920's

Blues history through a lavender lens.

Narrated by Jewelle Gomez

Directed by Dr. Robert Philipson


Who knew that the most famous blues singers of their day, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Ethel Waters were bisexual? Or that Alberta Hunter was a lesbian? Their lovers did, and now you will too. "T'Ain't Nobody's Bizness" recaptures our lost and suppressed past about the queer sexualities of these pioneering divas. Narrated by the well-known Black lesbian poet and novelist, Jewelle Gomez, this documentary teaches Black queer history with “lots of flash.”

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Who knew that the most famous blues singers of their day, Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, were bisexual? Or that Alberta Hunter and Ethel Waters were lesbians?  Their lovers did, and now you will too.


As part of recapturing our lost and hidden past, "T'Ain't Nobody's Bizness" presents the facts concerning the alternative sexualities of famous blues singers in a way that is unsensational yet entertaining. Many people will be surprised at how developed and robust alternative sexualities were 90 years ago. This documentary is narrated by the well-known Black lesbian poet and novelist, Jewelle Gomez.

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