Rachel Humphreys

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Rachel Humphreys was muse and lover to musician Lou Reed.[1] Their relationship has been described as seminal. Humphreys inspired lyrics, songs and artwork and accompanied him on tour during the mid-1970s.[2]

Raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey and San Antonio, Texas, Humphreys was of Mexican Native descent.[3] and was striking looking and tall. Humphreys was a trans woman and they met at a nightclub in Greenwich Village in New York[4] Reed was instantly attracted and they lived together as a couple. Their relationship, which lasted a few years between 1973-1977, is not well documented, but Humphreys is widely recognised as being the inspiration for the songs on the album Coney Island Baby. [5] Together they explored the boundaries of gender roles. Humphreys used both male and female pronouns at different times and both Reed and Humphreys enjoyed wearing each other’s clothes.[3] Humphreys' role in Reed's life is subject to continuing interest from music and popular culture journalists.[6][3]

Humphreys died of AIDS in 1990 age 37[7] at St. Clare's Hospital, New York City.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ "Rachel: Lou Reed's transsexual muse". DangerousMinds. 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  2. ^ "Out On Display #17: Lou Reed • V&A Blog". V&A Blog. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  3. ^ a b c d "A Gender Variance Who's Who: Rachel Humphreys (1952 - 1990) hairdresser, muse to Lou Reed". A Gender Variance Who's Who. 2019-01-31. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  4. ^ "Rachel Humphreys, the transgender woman and Lou Reed's muse". 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  5. ^ Simakovsky, Rob. "New York Series: Lou Reed "Coney Island Baby" - NYS Music". Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  6. ^ "Rachel Humphries & Lou Reed - About A Girl (podcast)". Listen Notes. 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Lou Reed's 'live-in boyfriend' Rachel Humphreys died of AIDS". canoe. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
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