The Rainbow Minute

A Monument for Bessie Smith

Details: Published: Friday, January 31 2020; Written by Diversity Richmond

Blues-singing empress Bessie Smith was tragically killed in a car crash on September 26, 1937 – leaving behind her soulful voice on over 160 recordings.

Her funeral was attended by thousands of grieving fans, yet her grave remained unmarked until 1970. That year, Juanita Green of Philadelphia and Janis Joplin – a well-known singer herself – secured a marble gravestone to memorialize Bessie.

In Bessie Smith's biography by Jackie Kay, she wrote that Joplin had always been a great admirer of Bessie Smith, which had a profound influence in Joplin's music.
As fate would have it, Joplin herself died less than two months after her benevolent deed, on the 33rd anniversary of Bessie Smith's funeral.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Giz Bowe.

“The Rainbow Minute” is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and can be heard every weekday at 3:59am, 7:59am, 9:59am, 12:29pm and 2:59pm on WRIR – 97.3fm in Richmond, Virginia, and webcast at wrir.org. It’s also heard internationally on over 200 stations.

Aaron Copland, The Uncommon American Composer

Details: Published: Friday, January 31 2020; Written by Diversity Richmond

Often defined as a pioneer of American music, Aaron Copland was born in 1900 into a Jewish immigrant family in Brooklyn, New York. He received music training in France, but rejected the European, neo-Romantic style to create a uniquely modern style incorporating American popular motifs.

It would be hard to find an American who hasn't heard Copland's compositions. His more well-known pieces are "Appalachian Spring," "Fanfare for the Common Man," and "The Tinderland.” His operas, ballets, film scores, chamber and choral music earned him a Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award, and a Presidential Medal.

Unlike many gay men at the time, Copland was not tormented or embarrassed by his sexuality, and throughout life was involved with same-gender relationships without a falter in his career.

This Rainbow Minute was read by John DeBoer.

Isadora Duncan Reinvents Dance

Details: Published: Friday, January 31 2020; Written by Diversity Richmond

Isadora Duncan was born in San Francisco in 1877. She took to dance as a youngster.

Finding ballet too rigid, she developed her own style, dancing barefoot in simple tunics with long, colorful scarves. As a teenager, she performed in Chicago and New York, but truly began captivating audiences after taking to the stage in Europe at the turn of the century. She became heralded as the Mother of Modern Dance.

Her personal life raised eyebrows as well, as a bisexual, socialist and advocate of women's rights.

She exchanged affectionate letters with poet Mercedes de Acosta during a lengthy affair. Duncan once wrote, "Mercedes, lead me with your little strong hands and I will follow you– to the top of a mountain. To the end of the world. Wherever you wish.

This Rainbow Minute was read by John DeBoer.

Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues

Details: Published: Wednesday, January 15 2020; Written by Diversity Richmond

Born in 1894 in Tennessee, a poverty-stricken Bessie sang for nickels on street corners at age nine. In 1923, she did an about-face with her first hit recording, "Downhearted Blues."

Bessie connected to black and white audiences alike, belting out songs of yearning, love and loss. Bolstering her popularity was her image as a sassy, self-assured black woman.

But combining that temperament with a thirst for moonshine made for a stormy personal life. When beset with anger, a brawl often ensued. Her opportunistic second husband, Jack Gee, was physically abusive – especially over her affairs with women.

Bessie's career slumped after the crash of '29. Ironically, her final blow came in 1937 in a car crash on a lonely southern highway.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Giz Bowe.

William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly-Gay Star

Details: Published: Monday, December 09 2019; Written by Diversity Richmond

Born in 1900 in Staunton, Virginia, William Haines ran away from home at age fourteen with his first boyfriend. He soon found his way to Greenwich Village, free from southern constraints.

Winning a national talent search, Haines signed on at Goldwyn Studios and was off to Hollywood. His sly, devil-may-care persona garnered him top box office star status in 1930. By then, Haines was living openly with Jimmy Shields as a couple. Hollywood legend has it that MGM insisted that Haines choose between his film career or homosexuality.

In 1934, his contract was not renewed. But he parlayed his fame into a highly-successful interior design business.

His relationship with Shields endured until Haines' death in 1973. His close friend, Joan Crawford, called it, "Hollywood's only successful marriage.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Garth Ellis.

Walt Waltman, the Inspiration

Details: Published: Saturday, November 02 2019; Written by Diversity Richmond

Whitman's poems are true Americana, written from his personal experiences. His "Calamus" poems speak of homosexual desire, and profoundly influenced gay writers of the time like Edward Carpenter of England.

Carpenter, a spokesman for progressive causes at the time, lived openly with his male partner. He wrote his first letter to Whitman in 1874, applauding him for his profound influence in England, and for legitimizing his own love of men. They continued correspondence, later meeting in America. Profoundly inspired by Whitman's language and ideals, he completed his poem "Democracy" in 1883.

Whitman said, "The best of Carpenter is in humanity: he manages to stay with people: he is a university man yet managed to save himself in time."

Later in Carpenter's career, he was dubbed England's Whitman – to him, the ultimate compliment.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Michael Hinerman.

Duane Michaels, Free-Thinking Photographer

Details: Published: Monday, October 14 2019; Written by Diversity Richmond

Born in Pennsylvania in 1932, Duane Michaels took to photography at age 14 while attending Carnegie Institute. A 1958 trip to Russia with a borrowed camera led to his first public exhibit.

Walt Whitman's book of poems titled, "Leaves of Grass," was Michael's lifeline. He carried it with him while serving in the Korean War, and later published a photo book titled, "Salute, Walt Whitman."

Michaels said, "I was lucky because I never went to photography school and didn't learn the photography rules, and in not learning the rules, I was free." His unique style has been showcased in over twenty printed books, as well as award-winning exhibits in Great Britain, France and the United States.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Alyssa Solomon.

Diversity in the Animal Kingdom

Details: Published: Friday, December 14 2018; Written by Diversity Richmond

Many laws attempt to condemn sexual behavior among humans of the same sex, calling it unnatural or against nature. But a new museum exhibit in Norway begs to differ.

In October of 2006, the Oslo Natural History Museum opened the world's first educational exhibit about homosexuality among animals. According to the exhibit's project leader, Geir Soeli, "Homosexuality has been observed for more than 1500 animal species and is well-documented for 500 of them. The sexual urge is strong in all animals... it's part of life."

Despite opposition from conservative Christian groups, the exhibit has been well-attended. The exhibit teaches that the animal kingdom encompasses many completely natural relationships among members of the same sex– not just short-lived ones, but also long-lasting partnerships that may last a lifetime.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Dustin Richardson.

“The Rainbow Minute” is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and can be heard every weekday at 3:59am, 7:59am, 9:59am and 12:29pm on WRIR – 97.3fm in Richmond, Virginia, and webcast at wrir.org. It’s also heard internationally on over 200 stations.

Harvey Fierstein's Voice

Details: Published: Thursday, September 20 2018; Written by Diversity Richmond

Born in Brooklyn in 1954, Harvey Fierstein came out at age 13. He loved going to Saturday matinees on Broadway, and even play-acted in drag as Ethel Merman.

Harvey graduated from Pratt Institute in 1973, aspiring to become a painter – but soon turned to playwriting. His award-winning show, Torch Song Trilogy, was first presented off-off-Broadway in 1981 – with him in the lead role. The awards were piling up, especially after hitting Broadway.

Harvey has long been a champion of LGBT rights. Brought into sharper focus by Matthew Shepard's murder, he spoke out with his characteristic husky voice – rallying the community to speak out, to vote, and to boycott.

In one inspiring speech, he reached out to the community, saying, "We are not different, we are extraordinary."

This Rainbow Minute was read by Sonia of Disappear Fear.

The Rainbow Minute is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and can be heard every weekday at 3:59am, 7:59am, 9:59am and 12:29pm on WRIR - 97.3fm in Richmond, Virginia, and webcast at wrir.org. It's also heard internationally on over 200 radio stations.

Backing Gay Equality, Former President Gerald R. Ford

Details: Published: Monday, August 20 2018; Written by Diversity Richmond

While historians and news commentators have credited Ford with uniting the U.S. in the wake of the Watergate scandal, few have mentioned his statements on equality for gays.

In an October 2001 interview with lesbian columnist Deb Price of the Detroit News, Ford called on fellow Republicans to join him in supporting equal treatment for gay people.

The Republican Unity Coalition – which advocated making homosexuality a non-issue for the party – invited Ford to join their board of directors. He accepted, becoming the first U.S. President to join the board of a gay rights advocacy organization.

When asked by Price if gay couples should receive full marriage equality, Ford said, "I don't see why they shouldn't. I think that's a proper goal. I think they ought to be treated equally. Period."

This Rainbow Minute was read by John DeBoer.

“The Rainbow Minute” is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and can be heard every weekday at 7:59am, 12:29pm and 2:59pm on WRIR – 97.3fm in Richmond, Virginia, and webcast at wrir.org. It’s also heard internationally on over 200 stations.

Environmentalist, Rachel Carson

Details: Published: Wednesday, July 18 2018; Written by Diversity Richmond

Rachel Carson was born in Pennsylvania in 1907. Starting her career as a writer, she became a marine biologist, culminating in her 1962 book, Silent Spring. With its stark warnings about the dangers of DDT and other chemical pesticides on the food chain, it helped ignite the environmentalist movement.

Carson was by this time a national celebrity, having written two other books about marine life. But her third was the charm, prompting the federal government to take measures against water and air pollution, and turning everyday Americans into ecologists.

In 1953, Carson began an intimate relationship with Dorothy Freeman. They spent summers together for the rest of Carson's life, and when apart, kept in touch with letters.

They eventually destroyed hundreds of letters, so the intensity of their bond would forever be a closely-guarded secret.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Janice Browne.

NBA Player John Amaechi Scores By Coming Out

Details: Published: Thursday, June 14 2018; Written by Diversity Richmond

Born in the United States and raised in England, John Amaechi started his basketball career at Penn State. He played for four NBA teams in five years.

In February of 2007, he was the first male pro basketball player to come out, making him the sixth male athlete in major U.S. pro sports to come out, ever. Despite the ensuing controversy, Amaechi remained focused, saying, "I'm resilient enough, eloquent enough, and outspoken enough to try and open some minds." He became a spokesman for Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Project, and published his autobiography, Man in the Middle.

Openly-gay tennis star Martina Navratilova praised Amaechi's forthrightness, declaring him a role model for kids.

This Rainbow Minute was read by Dustin Richardson.

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