Daisy Theater
Daisy Theater
329 Beale Street
Memphis, TN
efore the emancipation of the slaves, Memphis was already home to many freedmen, and after the Civil War, the area around Beale Street became predominantly black.
By the late 19th century, Beale Street was the acknowledged capital of African-American Memphis and of the mid-South, also achieving a reputation as a raw, exciting center of music and entertainment. Blues composer W.C. Handy lived on the street and immortalized it in 1912 in his "Beale Street Blues." His talent drew such great performers as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Alberta Hunter - bisexuals all - who during the 1920s regularly played in the clubs and performances spaces lining the street, such as the Daisy Theater. Ma Rainey, in particular, was known for writing and performing gutsy queer blues numbers, including "Prove It On Me Blues," in which she extolled lesbianism and cross-dressing, and "Sissy Blues," about her husband's relationship with a "queen" named Miss Kate.
The theater was restored in the 1980s and is now the Beale Street Blues Museum. In addition, Beale Street is today a national historic district with markers pointing out its significant historic sites.
Paula Martinac is the author of six books and numerous articles on LGBT topics. Her blog, The Queerest Places, chronicles LGBT historic sites. She holds an M.A. in history and works for a community development organization in Pittsburgh, PA.
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