Tag Archives: Vintage Gay

F.O. “Matty” Matthiessen, and Russell Cheney, Normandy, summer 1925

Russell Cheney (October 16, 1881 – July 12, 1945) shown on the left was an accomplished painter and Francis Otto Matthiessen (February 19, 1902 – April 1, 1950) shown on the right was an educator, scholar and influential literary critic. Matthiessen was twenty years Russell’s junior but the two met in 1924 and remained a couple until Cheney’s death in 1945.

I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

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This week’s post deviates from many past posts that typically show couples but Technical Seargeant Leonard Philip Matlovich who was a Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star is recognized as the first gay service member to purposely out himself to the military to fight their ban on gays. His case resulted in articles in newspapers and magazines throughout the country, numerous television interviews, and a television movie on NBC. His photograph appeared on the cover of the September 8, 1975, issue of Time magazine, making him a symbol for thousands of gay and lesbian service members and gay people generally.

I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

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Bayard Taylor (1824-1878) is credited with writing the first gay novel in America, titled,  Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania. We see George Henry Bocker (1829-1890) founder of Nassau Monthly and Bayard Taylor (1824-1878) sitting to the far left and in the middle respectively. It is believed that Taylor had a close relationship with George Henry Bocker.

I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

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Thanks to Buzzfeed, I can tell you that this photo was taken at the 1980 New York City Pride. Little did these men know that a virus called AIDS would ravage their community while most of America pretended not to notice (if they were polite) while the rest openly gloated calling it ‘god’s will’.

I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

Previous Vintage Gay Photos

I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

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Photo from: Queer Newark – oral history project

Thanks to Queer Newark’s oral history project we know that this photo of John takes place at some point in the 1950s or 60s where he grew up and participated in Newark’s thriving gay scene.

I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

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Thanks to the date scrawled at the bottom of this image we know that the photo was taken more than 100 years ago. I’m curious what these two mustached men were planning to do. The one on the left seems quite playful and the one on the right seems to enjoy his friend’s playful touch.

I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.

Previous Vintage Gay Photos