SylvesterThe Queen of Disco1947 – 1988Few artists have embodied the spirit of liberation quite like Sylvester.
As a trailblazing Black, openly gay singer during the 1970s and 1980s, he flexed an undeniable creative talent and vibrant persona in a music industry that regularly pushed queer artists to the margins.
Undeterred by the systemic challenges and prejudices he faced as a Black gay creative, Sylvester used his artistry to express pride in his queer identity, transforming the margins of the industry into his illustrious stage.Born Sylvester James, Jr.
in Los Angeles, he was the son of Letha Weaver and Sylvester James Sr. He regularly accompanied his mother to Pentecostal church while growing up in L.A.