Young Athlete

Handsome young athlete in a formal studio pose, wearing his letter sweater. Let me guess, Vermont? There's something compelling about the simplicity and sense of calm. And something timeless about the guy.

Although undated, it is likely from the 1920s. Check it out at homobilia.com

MILK memorabilia

Levi Strauss & Co. denim jacket and jeans worn by Sean Penn, along with an official MILK poster, two 8x10 photos (by Biron) of Penn wearing the outfit, original prop business cards, original prop buttons, and the original prop postcard handed to Penn before his speech to the crowd: Sold on eBay on March 27 for $1,158.00. (Actor sold separately.)

Unfortunately, all items were dry cleaned before the auction (or the winning bid would certainly have been higher). In any case, the proceeds went to support the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association.

One small step for NLGJA. One giant leap for homobilia.

Drum Magazine

Unlike the earlier physique magazines, Drum was published "by male homosexuals for the entertainment and information of other male homosexuals." It offers a boy-next-door aesthetic, (no frontal nudity) news from all over the U.S., articles, book reviews, "Ask Drum," classifieds, and more. It is actually interesting to read!


Baltimore: Commissioner of Correction Vernon L. Peppersack has said that 'some homosexual prisoners are allowed to share cells as man and wife in the Maryland Penitentiary if they don't cause trouble. Washington Post, Sept 18.'


New York City: 'We were going to call it Columbia University Mattachine, but the initials killed it,' quipped a student. The good humor did not cloud the objective however: a group of Columbia students, with the cooperation of their Chaplain's office, are forming America's first homophile organization on a university campus.'


The "National Homosexuality Test" offers 18 questions including:

Q: Is homosexuality against criminal law?
A: No. Such laws would be clearly unconstitutional. In each state, except Illinois, certain acts are against the law however. It seems that it is o.k. to be gay as long as you don't do anything about it.


Much has changed in the past 40 years, but these magazines are still informative and entertaining. And sometimes when we think of all the obstacles in the road ahead it is good to look back and see where we've come from.

See more issues of Drum at Homobilia.com