Happy Birthday Sylvester, Rainbow Honor Walk honoree
Today on the anniversary of his birth, we celebrate the life and legacy of Rainbow Honor Walk honoree Sylvester James (September 6, 1947 – December 16, 1988).
Known simply as Sylvester, the groundbreaking singer and performer became one of the defining voices of disco and an enduring LGBTQ+ cultural icon. With his extraordinary falsetto, flamboyant style and unapologetic stage presence, he rose to international fame with hits including “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and “Dance (Disco Heat).” A beloved figure in San Francisco’s queer community, Sylvester challenged conventions of gender and sexuality through both his music and public persona. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1988 at the age of 41.
Read historian Bill Lipsky’s tribute in the SF Bay Times at the link below: