Black queer feminism is a powerful movement that has evolved over decades, shaped by the voices of radical thinkers, activists, and organizers who have challenged both racism and patriarchy while advocating for a more just and inclusive society. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black women, particularly those at the intersections of queerness and feminism, this movement has redefined the landscape of activism, scholarship, and community organizing . From the foundational writings of Audre Lorde to the present-day leadership of scholars like Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Black queer feminism has been a guiding force in social justice movements. Here’s a look at some of the pivotal figures and collectives who have shaped its trajectory.
Audre Lorde (1934–1992)
Audre Lorde was a self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” whose work laid the foundation for Black queer feminism. Through her poetry, essays, and activism, Lorde spoke unapologetically about race, gender, sexuality, and power. Her groundbreaking works, such as Sister Outsider and Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, articulated the necessity of recognizing intersecting identities and rejecting single-issue politics. She championed self-definition, the radical power of difference, and the use of poetry as a tool for resistance. Lorde’s voice remains a cornerstone of Black queer feminist thought, urging generations to see self-care as an act of political warfare.
The Combahee River Collective (1974–1980)
The Combahee River Collective, a radical group of Black feminists founded in 1974, was instrumental in defining Black queer feminism. Among its members were Barbara Smith, Demita Frazier, and Beverly Smith, who crafted the Combahee River Collective Statement in 1977, a defining document of intersectional feminism. The collective asserted that the liberation of Black women required addressing racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism simultaneously, a common critique of mainstream feminism for its failure to do so. And even re-coined the term “identity politics” to describe how their multiple identities shaped their experiences of oppression. They emphasized that Black queer women’s struggles were not simply a subset of broader feminist or civil rights movements but were distinct and crucial in their own right. Their work set the stage for modern understandings of intersectionality and social justice activism.
Angela Davis (1944–Present)
Angela Davis is a revolutionary scholar, activist, and former Black Panther whose work has continuously evolved to include Black queer feminist perspectives. While initially known for her leadership in prison abolition and Marxist feminist analysis, Davis’s later work has explicitly acknowledged the role of Black queer women in social movements. She has written extensively on the importance of intersectionality in dismantling oppressive systems, as seen in her books Women, Race, & Class and Freedom Is a Constant Struggle. Davis also connected feminism to prison abolition, capitalism, and global struggles for liberation, arguing that mass incarceration is a feminist issue. She was instrumental in introducing abolitionist feminism, which critiques carceral systems as tools of racial and gendered oppression. Davis’s commitment to radical liberation has influenced countless activists and remains central to contemporary Black queer feminist thought.
Cheryl Clarke (1947–Present)
Cheryl Clarke is a poet, scholar, and activist whose writings in the 1980s and 1990s solidified Black lesbian feminist discourse. Her poetry and essays, such as those in Living as a Lesbian and The Days of Good Looks, explore the intersections of Blackness, womanhood, and queerness. Clarke was a key figure in asserting the necessity of Black lesbian visibility within feminist and Black liberation movements, arguing that lesbian identity was not only a sexual orientation but a political stance against patriarchy and heteronormativity. She has continuously pushed for the recognition of sexuality as a crucial component of identity and resistance, making her an essential voice in Black queer feminism’s evolution.
Barbara Smith (1946–Present)
Barbara Smith, a founding member of the Combahee River Collective, is also a pioneer in Black feminist publishing. In 1980, she co-founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, the first publishing house dedicated to works by and for women of color. She helped make Black feminist thought accessible by ensuring that Black women controlled their own narratives. Through her advocacy and scholarship, Smith has amplified the voices of Black queer women, ensuring that their stories and theories are preserved. Her work has been instrumental in shaping the discourse around intersectionality and continues to influence Black feminist thought today.
Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs (1982–Present)
Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs is a writer, scholar, and community archivist whose work bridges Black feminist history with visionary futures. Gumbs brings an almost mystical, poetic approach to Black feminist thought. Her work treats Black feminism as a form of spiritual practice and intergenerational healing, blending history with creative reimaginings of the past and future. She has written extensively on Black feminist thought, with works like Spill: Scenes of Black Feminist Fugitivity and M Archive: After the End of the World. Gumbs draws upon the teachings of figures like Audre Lorde and the Combahee River Collective to imagine new possibilities for Black queer life and liberation. Her work embodies the next phase of Black queer feminism, one that honors the past while crafting transformative visions for the future.
Charlene Carruthers & Black Youth Organizing (2013–Present)
Charlene Carruthers is a contemporary Black queer feminist and organizer who has redefined activism for a new generation. She builds on the legacy of the Combahee River Collective while updating it for a digital, social media-driven era. As the founding national director of the Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100), Carruthers has mobilized young Black activists in the fight for racial justice, economic equity, and gender liberation. Her book, Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, calls for an intersectional approach to organizing that centers Black queer and trans people. Carruthers and BYP100 represent the modern continuation of Black queer feminist activism, proving that the fight for justice is far from over.
Looking at the evolution of Black queer feminism honestly showcases the resistance, storytelling, and radical love black, queer women have for our community and ourselves. From the early writings of Audre Lorde to the contemporary activism of Charlene Carruthers and Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, each generation has built upon the last, ensuring that Black queer voices remain at the center of liberation movements. This ongoing legacy continues to challenge oppressive systems, create spaces for Black queer joy, and inspire future activists to carry the torch forward.