Man Shaving

He's obviously just gone for a swim. Now he stands on a rocky beach, still dripping wet, baggy shorts clinging to his thigh, lathered up, and along comes somebody with a camera.

Fortunately.

Polaroids from a San Francisco bathhouse 1978

A never-before-seen glimpse into pre-AIDS gay sexual culture goes on view June 12, 2010 at drkrm/gallery in celebration of Gay Pride Month.

The Fairoaks Project is an exhibit of Polaroid photographs taken by Frank Melleno during the spring and summer of 1978 at The Fairoaks Hotel, a San Francisco bathhouse.

Melleno’s images capture an aspect of gay life rarely seen in snapshot photography: sexually candid encounters that are playful, spontaneous and often affectionate. 

For more info visit: Drkrm/Gallery.

Men in Swimsuits

Once again eBay has proven that there's a direct relationship between the size of a man's basket and the value of a photo. This nice but otherwise unexceptional photo from the 1920s sold for $151.49.

Two Great Vintage Photos of Real Gay Interest

OK, there's absolutely no doubt. These guys are flirting with each other and they're about to kiss.

It's all very innocent as they stand in the sunshine, in the middle of a dirt road, hands behind their backs, cardigans buttoned, ties knotted. But you can feel the sexual tension.

We're certainly not looking at father and son, or a couple of affectionate brothers. These two are kissing cousins at least. Finally somebody selling photos on eBay that really merit the tag "gay interest."

The next snapshot shows 4 men making a groin-powered choo-choo train all their own. The "A" on the sweater stands for Ashville NC in case you're curious. While equally suggestive, it isn't as overtly gay. Who knows, maybe they're just a bunch of guys have fun sitting on top of each other.

To my surprise the second photo sold for $272 and the two men about to kiss sold for $48.00. I would have predicted just the opposite result. Shows you what I know....