Above: Members of Detroit’s House of Charles pose on Heaven’s dance floor, ca. 1994. Photograph from the Chris Cushman Club Heaven Photographs. Photography by Christopher Cushman.
Abstract: The Chris Cushman Club Heaven Photographs document Detroit’s House of Charles, a collective of Black drag queens, gay men, and trans women who were active in the Detroit LGBTQ+ bar scene in the 1980s and 1990s. The primary photographs depict members of the House of Charles voguing at the legendary Club Heaven, a gay after hours spot on 7 Mile known for its pulsing house music spun by DJ Ken Collier and others, all played through its iconic sound system. Other photos in the collection depict House of Charles members posing in finery for an impromptu photoshoot. The black and white images are a beautiful look into the history of Detroit’s Black gay community. All photos were taken by photographer and donor Chris Cushman.
Donor: Chris Cushman, epiphanynoir.com
Date: ca. 1990s, main Heaven images 1994
Extent: 792.99 MB
Collection Type: Digital
Subjects: LGBTQ+, Gay History, Club Heaven, Drag Queens, House Music, Voguing, Dance
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