Sylvester
Sylvester
Sylvester James, Sylvester James Jr.
Sylvester was known as the “Queen of Disco” during his time, inspiring countless scores of marginalized queer youth of color to embrace their inner selves.
Sylvester was born in Watts, Los Angeles in 1947. He developed a love for singing in a gospel choir as a kid, but left the church when it became clear the church opposed his homosexuality. He developed a love for singing in a gospel choir as a kid, but left the church when it became clear the church opposed his homosexuality.
At 22, Sylvester moved to San Fransisco, where he found like-minded friends in the city’s community of black crossdressers and trans women. Sylvester, who became revered for his flashy, unpredictable style, androgynous appearance, and blaring falsetto joined an avant-garde dance troupe called the Cockettes.