The classic joke: (not mine. Do let me know if it does not go over well)
The Greeks invented sex.
The Romans introduced it to women.
Historians: they were very good friends, so good even sleeping in the same bed(as friends) for their whole lives.
The History Channel: “Michelangelo was very dedicated to some of his students, he spent a lot of time with one male student in particular.”
Me, as a preteen: “Ya huh.”
One of my favorite books is Swasarnt Neuf’s Gay Guides for 1949. It’s a collection of different gay zines from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Lots of great slang, lots of “if you are in this town, here are the cruising spots, here are the clubs.”
There’s also a collection of photos of gay beaches, some of which are very delightfully NSFW.
That’s brilliant! A how to guide for the modern gay written in the past
Wonder how many of this are still “good spots” lol.
I wonder if the photo in the OP was taken at Riis beach.
That’s part of what makes it so fantastic! 🙏
Who are these guys? Are we just assuming guy friends from the past are gay for hugging? Isn’t that kinda toxic and homophobic?
Context and ambiguity are present in all estimations of historical evidence - especially pictoral evidence.