Beautiful Things: Wilhelm von Gloeden’s Photography

There’s no doubt gays occupy a nebulous, sometimes frightening place in the 21st century. As we march, swagger, and sashay into the future, it’s always important to look back and reflect on our gay forefathers. One gay forefather we’ve always been fond of is German photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden. With an eye for beauty, von Gloeden focussed his gaze on a bevy of Italian young men.

Though during that time homosexuality occupied a much smaller space than it does today, von Gloeden and his work were generally well respected by his neighbors in Sicily. If only more people in America were so cool. And so hot.