I love old photos and trying to figure out what made that paticular time in their life special enough to document. Like Jim said, guys were closer back then. We have a book called "Men of WWII" that depicts men in all sorts of seemingly sugestive poses. When in reality, people were just more comfortable with themselves. Maybe in a world where we strive for acceptance, we are really pushing people away by declaring our difference.
STEW, i think you have something there worth a look-see. .. By all our antics for freedom-equality-rights-acceptance, etc. . .maybe we ARE pushing people away.
I think from the little I've been around some of the gay parties/parades are quite a bit "in your face". . .more than I care for or need. . .. just speaking for myself.
We say we want to be just Ordinary FOLK. . .part of the community. . accepted in society. . and we come on "block busters" and drive normals right up the wall. . .
This is an 'uncomfortable' issue which rises every now and then. . .
I wonder. . . just roaming around the topic out loud, as it were. .
Stew raises an interesting point. When I was growing up, there was no word for 'gay'. If you were attracted to other guys that was cool because there was no 'us' and 'them'.
I had countless opportunities as a teen to get cosy with other guys, all of them now married with families. I had no idea what it meant then... no idea at all, and neither did they. It didn't have a label. We were just guys doing guy stuff.
Now, of course, it does have a label, so it's become 'us' and 'them'.
It's a cool book with lots of regular service men of that era shown in a much closer cordial condition than that of today's world.
In part the loss of such cordiality with two people of the same sex (heterosexuals) is phobia in the idea that your 'gay' if you are found in a situation of cordiality. I can say, in some senses I can feel that way if one of my Christian friends hugs me in public...kind of weird, when I'm comfortable in being gay...just a bit 'phobic' in respect to public affections.
This could also be chalked up to a natural evolution of American Social mores. Interesting where it falls depending on who you are, where you are (geographically), and even at times parental influence when growing up... Not necessarily right, wrong or indifferent...just an interesting thing compared as WWII vets, and today's world. :0
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a good pride event or an evening at the gay bar. I have a straight girl friend that is turning 21 soon and is looking forward to going to her first gay bar and drag show. We'll find our balance.... eventually.
I do love these old photos though. I think it's Progressive Insurance that is running these shots in their ads in gay mags lately. Very nice.
8 comments:
Guys were 'closer' back then! Everyone looked so well dressed.
Jim
I really must get around to digitizing my parent's family album. Thanks for the reminder.
BTW, those guys could have done with a tin of shoe polish.
I love old photos and trying to figure out what made that paticular time in their life special enough to document. Like Jim said, guys were closer back then. We have a book called "Men of WWII" that depicts men in all sorts of seemingly sugestive poses. When in reality, people were just more comfortable with themselves.
Maybe in a world where we strive for acceptance, we are really pushing people away by declaring our difference.
STEW, i think you have something there worth a look-see. .. By all our antics for freedom-equality-rights-acceptance, etc. . .maybe we ARE pushing people away.
I think from the little I've been around some of the gay parties/parades are quite a bit "in your face". . .more than I care for or need. . .. just speaking for myself.
We say we want to be just Ordinary FOLK. . .part of the community. . accepted in society. . and we come on "block busters" and drive normals right up the wall. . .
This is an 'uncomfortable' issue which rises every now and then. . .
I wonder. . . just roaming around the topic out loud, as it were. .
justin
Stew raises an interesting point. When I was growing up, there was no word for 'gay'. If you were attracted to other guys that was cool because there was no 'us' and 'them'.
I had countless opportunities as a teen to get cosy with other guys, all of them now married with families. I had no idea what it meant then... no idea at all, and neither did they. It didn't have a label. We were just guys doing guy stuff.
Now, of course, it does have a label, so it's become 'us' and 'them'.
Stew...I have that book too!
It's a cool book with lots of regular service men of that era shown in a much closer cordial condition than that of today's world.
In part the loss of such cordiality with two people of the same sex (heterosexuals) is phobia in the idea that your 'gay' if you are found in a situation of cordiality. I can say, in some senses I can feel that way if one of my Christian friends hugs me in public...kind of weird, when I'm comfortable in being gay...just a bit 'phobic' in respect to public affections.
This could also be chalked up to a natural evolution of American Social mores. Interesting where it falls depending on who you are, where you are (geographically), and even at times parental influence when growing up... Not necessarily right, wrong or indifferent...just an interesting thing compared as WWII vets, and today's world.
:0
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a good pride event or an evening at the gay bar. I have a straight girl friend that is turning 21 soon and is looking forward to going to her first gay bar and drag show.
We'll find our balance.... eventually.
I do love these old photos though. I think it's Progressive Insurance that is running these shots in their ads in gay mags lately. Very nice.
Is that one dude wearing heels? Is it an odd kink in the carpet? It sure looks as if he was wearing lifts!
Post a Comment