Black History Month is over. But, the good thing is that Women’s History Month is here to keep the momentum going. Black lesbians, historically and contemporarily, have been some of the most profound minds this country has ever witnessed. Angela Y. Davis, Audre Lorde, Stormé DeLarverie, Alice Walker, and so many more have loaned their knowledge, time, and wisdom to securing Black liberation through organizing, writing, and teaching. This month, and every month, we honor those names and the other countless Black lesbians that have opened doors for everyone.
What better way to celebrate these lives during quarantine than to binge a few films that center Black lesbians? Grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, make yourself comfortable and click one of these films on.
Rafiki (2018)
Rafiki is a story of a blossoming romance between two women in Kenya. While navigating their feelings with each other, they must also navigate through the pressures of politics and family as it pertains to their lesbian identities.
Bessie (2015)
Queen Latifah stars as the Blues singer, Bessie Smith, in the HBO Original Film. The movie focuses on Smith’s journey on becoming “The Empress of Blues,” which includes her love life with both men and women.
The Color Purple (1985)
The Color Purple is an adaptation of Alice Walker’s book of the same name. The movie mainly follows a Black woman named Celie in the 20th century. While Celie is tasked with much in this film, like racism and abuse, there is a good deal of focus on the fondness that she and Suge Avery grow for each other.
The Watermelon Woman (1997)
A film that follows Cheryl, a young Black lesbian, as she works in a video store and creates a documentary around a Black lesbian actor named Fae Richards, whose acting in the 1930s was reduced to mammy depictions in the 1930s.
Pariah (2011)
Alike is a 17-year-old girl who wants to embrace her identity as a lesbian. When she meets Bina, she has her first encounter with another girl. However, at home, her parents are going through a divorce and her mother’s homophobia proves to be too much for Alike.
