Marriage equality wasn’t even a pipe dream, homosexuality was a punishable crime and Grindr was something a wheat farmer probably used, and still these same-sex couples managed to find moments of affection and love.
What’s our excuse? Well, those seven seasons of 30 Rock aren’t going to Netflix themselves, now are they?
But you we’ll take a break to marvel at these sweetheart scenes of days gone by:
Amaurys Arias
Love this
Will Glitzern
The pictures are beyond cool…but I suspect not all of these people were LGBT.
Uncv1
Ah so sweet. What a risk at the time! Would love to know the back story with the 12th picture- two men kissing and the words “good-bye!” written at the bottom. I imagine it was real heart break. The next one captured a nice shot of his crotch. Guess he was dressing to the right and howing what’s on his mind. Lol
Luke Ellison
Too cute some of them
Darrell Schissler
â¤ï¸LOVEâ¤ï¸
Colin Nairn
You didn’t credit the source of each photo. Out of respect you should have given us some info of where and when.
Billy Budd
There is even a photo of Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfreb “Bosie” Douglas. Did you not recognize it? LOVE AND HAPPINESS FOREVER is what I say.
Chris
@Billy Budd: When I saw that picture, I actually asked myself if that was Oscar Wilde. Thanks for the answer.
Petra Madero
😉
Natalie Skipper
Wow even Oscar Wilde is there even though it is a tame photo its great to see it. Would love to know some of their stories. What I want to know Queerty is why was there good bye on one?
Bauhaus
My favorite is the fourth picture. The men show both strength and vulnerability; a virility and tenderness I find attractive.
Stached1
@Will Glitzern: No they are not. Some are but not all of them.
@Natalie Skipper: Oscar Wilde was bisexual and a ped0. Jus saying.
Transiteer
I’m surprised that they found a photographer who would take the photo! But it is so pleasing to see that we were there then, even with the mood of the day. The last photo is striking. The one of Wilde is interesting. And the 2nd last photo is quite titillating 🙂
Sean Taylor
Beautiful pictures â¤ï¸
Janna Burgart
Love is love it’s all good
DeWayne Talbert
The 2 black guys sitting next to the love tree could be brothers…
Billy Budd
@Stached1: Oscar Wilde was a pioneer, a beacon of LGBT rights and a consummate artist. He liked older boys, not children. He had a relationship with a blonde English Lord, Alfred Bosie Douglas. He was a man ahead of his time and created timeless works of art. He was a genius. Please read the essential biography by Richard Ellman.
TVC 15
@Bauhaus I agree. No. 4 is my favorite.
@Transiteer We have always been here.
Paul Charles
These are beauiful
KEVINVENTION
These pics are terrific! I was surprised no one had mentioned #16, though, with the four women and the car. If the name of the lumber company in the background is, in fact, “DYKE” (as it seems like it might be), I’m thinking those ladies might be enjoying a helluva inside joke… 😉
stranded
The bearded guy in the dress makes me so happy. He’s true to himself no matter what.
Anty5
They were terrified by the government. If they were not so afraid then we would be better in this time period.
arjuna52
@KEVINVENTION: Yes, I thought the same thing–inside joke. Dykes Lumber in New York was in Midtown on the westside until last year when it moved to Harlem, although I don’t think that it’s the setting for the photograph. Electric poles and an unpaved street, but perhaps it was one of their other locations. Anyone else have an idea?
arjuna52
If you like these photographs check out http://gaytimespast1940.tumblr.com. There are thousands!
Roberson Randy
They risked everything!