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Ma Rainey was also married twice—to two men. She was with her first husband, Will Rainey, for at least 10 years before separating, according to the New York Times. She eventually married again to a younger man, but his name is unknown and other details are scarce. Ma Rainey openly sang about her affairs with women. Three of Ma's hundreds of songs contain references to her bisexuality. The most famous example, "Prove It on Me Blues" (1928) was recorded near the end of her contract with Paramount, and contains the lyrics: Where she went, I don't know I mean to follow everywhere she goes;

In Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the blues singer brings her lover, Dussie Mae, to the recording studio with her. In real life, Ma "proudly proclaimed her bisexuality," per the New York Times, as did her mentee and later "friendly" rival Bessie Smith. Ma Rainey also alluded to her bisexuality in her lyrics, most notably with "Prove it on Me Blues," which referenced a lesbian orgy she hosted that got her arrested, according to PBS. (Bessie bailed her out of jail the next morning.) They say I do it, ain’t nobody caught me Sure got to prove it on me;