LGBTQ+ Artists Represented Int the Performing Arts Special Collections
LGBTQ+ Artists Represented in the Performing Arts Special Collections in the Library of Congress Music Division Aaron Copland with Samuel Barber and Gian Carlo Menotti, 1945 (Aaron Copland Collection, Box 479 Folder 3) Compiled by Emily Baumgart Archives Processing Technician January 2021 Introduction The artistic community has always had many LGBTQ+ members, including musicians, dancers, choreographers, writers, directors, designers, and other creators. The Music Division holds a wealth of information about these LGBTQ+ artists in its performing arts special collections, which contain musical scores, correspondence, scripts, photographs and other documents of their lives and careers. This survey brings together some of the highlights from these holdings, providing an opportunity to learn more about LGBTQ+ creators and to recognize and celebrate their artistic achievements. The sexual and gender identity of many historical figures has been obscured over time; moreover, it can be difficult to determine how such individuals would identify by today’s terminology, especially when little of their personal life is known. Other figures, however, have disclosed their identity through their private correspondence or other writings. We do not wish to ascribe to any person an identity that they may have disagreed with, but at the same time we recognize that many of the queer community’s accomplishments have been hidden through oppression, prejudice, and forced closeting. By increasing awareness of LGBTQ+ identity in the Music Division’s special collections, we can make relevant primary source materials more readily accessible for students, educators, and scholars to study these creators and their contributions. This survey does not claim to be comprehensive, neither in terms of identifying every LGBTQ+ artist within the Music Division’s special collections nor in terms of identifying every collection in which those artists are represented.
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