Sufjan Stevens dedicates his new album to his late partner: “He was an absolute gem”
Sufjan Stevens has come out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community in an emotional tribute to his late partner. On 6 October, the ‘Mystery of Love’ singer dropped his tenth studio album Javelin.
Since its release, the 10-track record has received universal acclaim from fans and critics, with many praising it for its heartfelt lyrics and immersive production.
To celebrate his new album, Stevens uploaded a heartfelt post to Instagram, dedicating the record to his later partner, Evans Richardson. “This album is dedicated to the light of my life, my beloved partner and best friend Evans Richardson, who passed away in April,” he wrote. “He was an absolute gem of a person, full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity, and joy.
He was one of those rare and beautiful ones you find only once in a lifetime—precious, impeccable, and absolutely exceptional in every way.” According to an online obituary (obtained by Them), Richardson passed away on 30 April at the age of 43 and was chief of staff at Harlem’s Studio Museum – which highlighted Black artists and their artwork.
