In one, two men hold up a sign that says “Not married but willing to be.” In another, a shirtless man gives another man a piggyback ride. The Poet (Enrique Riveros) goes on a surreal journey, literally passing through a mirror and witnessing oneiric sights of an extremely queer nature.
Paramount Pictures
Morocco, 1930 (dir.
The film was made in response to Germany’s then law against homosexuality. Lastly, pals Jack (Charles Rogers) and Richard (David Armstrong) share a passionate kiss as one dies in battle.
Sex in Chains, 1928 (dir. It explores the bittersweet feeling of unrequited love in a tender, melancholic manner.
What’s the World Coming to?, 1926 (dir.
Men to Match the Mountains
A tribute to the outdoors photography of Don Whitman, various models, 50s through 70s.
Mineshaft (1979)
The Mineshaft featuring Josh and Buddy at the famous New York sex club in 1979
Mark Mason
Big Daddy Mark Mason posing for the December 1996 edition of MEN.
Johnny Titus
80s muscle man Johnny Titus, various photographers.
Arthur Harris by Al Urban
50s bodybuilder Arthur Harris, widely regarded as an uncrowned Mr America poses for Al Urban.
In that spirit, here are a few groundbreaking pieces of queer cinema from early European, pre-code American, and the silent era of film, because we’ve always been here and we’ve always been queer.
Making a Man of Her, 1912 (dir. Things get spicy when she meets a handsome doctor and the two fall for each other, with Ossi still disguised as a man!
Salome, 1923 (dir.
Jean Cocteau)
The first part of The Orphic Trilogy, this avant-garde film from surrealist Cocteau uses dreamlike visuals and narration to explore an artist’s obsession with fame and death. As with many a bisexual will understand, the film ends utter disappointment, with Christina having chosen her duties to her country over her lovers.
While some of the images were taken in photo booths, many others were likely taken by a third party. Eventually she disguises herself as a man in order to have more freedom in the world. The book was later adapted into a 1951 French film of the same name directed by Jacqueline Audry.
Viktor und Viktoria, 1933 (dir.
The identities of the photographers and subjects connected to most of the images are a mystery.
“The pictures adopt the same staging as for heterosexual couples: couples pose at the bow of a ship, on the branch of a tree, at the beach, in the forest and in bed, and they sometimes also simulate a wedding stance,” per a statement from the Musee d’Art et d’Histoire.
Loving is available in five languages: French, English, Italian, German and Spanish.
Nini and Treadwell hope that the new exhibition—and shows like it in the future—will continue to spread the message that “love is love,” as Treadwell tells the Art Newspaper’s Karen Chernick.
“Love has been around forever,” he adds.
“Loving” is on view at the Musée Rath in Geneva, Switzerland, through September 24.
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While it doesn’t all stick the landing today, it remains a sharp satire about gender norms.
The Clinging Vine, 1926 (dir.
“All social classes and ages are represented, from workers to businessmen, including students, soldiers and sailors.”
Many of the photographs were in near-perfect condition when Nini and Treadwell found them, which suggests they were safely hidden away somewhere over the decades. In real life, Brooks had many friendships with lesbian and bisexual women, and according to Andrea Weiss in her book Vampires & Violets, Brooks even claimed to have a one-night stand with Greta Garbo.
The Blood of a Poet, 1930 (dir.
Hepburn herself was a trailblazer of butchness, and brought that to her post-code film Sylvia Scarlet, in which she successfully impersonates a man for most of the film.
For more reading on early queer cinema, I recommend Hollywood Androgyny by Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Girls Will Be Boys by Laura Horak, Screened Out by Richard Barrios, and The Celluliod Closet by Vito Russo.
See Photos of Gay Men in Love Dating Back to the 1850s
LGBTQ+ Pride
A Smithsonian magazine special report
A new exhibition features romantic snapshots found at flea markets, antique shops and online auctions
In a series of photographs, men from around the world kiss, hug, picnic and gaze into each others’ eyes.
Taken in 1927, the snapshot showed two men embracing. Throughout the film, the characters’ attractions are fluid, making this one of the earliest films to feature lesbian, gay, bisexual/pansexual, and transgender themes.
On top of that, she’s attracted to the tuxedo-wearing Countess Augusta Geschwitz. But oh that closing shot. While the main relationship between Deitrich’s night club singer and Gary Cooper’s legionnaires is heterosexual, the film is chock full of queer undertones, from Dietrich’s tuxedo, to her musical performance which ends in a kiss on the lips of a female patron.
This zany film again features cross-dressing, including men wearing girdles and donning lipstick.