Pose is a pose is a pose is a pose

Today is IDAHOT (the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia) so I thought I’d mark it by paying tribute to an LGBT+ predecessor... the Modernist writer and art collector, Gertrude Stein. 

Like many another historical figure, Stein’s politics can be both problematic AND progressive, when viewed through our contemporary lens, but there’s no question that a century or so ago she was a very visible lesbian at a time when that was still pretty rare, outside of certain avant-garde circles. 

I’ve tried to ‘re-interpret’ a photograph entitled ‘Portrait of Gertrude Stein, with American flag as backdrop’ taken by Carl Van Vechten in 1935. I hope neither Gertrude nor Carl would take offence! I’m dedicating it to Kendall www.blipfoto.com/kendallishere and Sue www.blipfoto.com/Bluheron 

You can find the original photo at the Library of Congress website www.loc.gov/item/2004663581


Today’s song, ‘Hot Topic’ by Le Tigre, includes Gertrude Stein in a list of people - many of them LGBT+ activists - who inspired the band. I love it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=0idmTWxFs1A