Gay 1950 actors
5. Stars from a Bi-Gone Era
Most of the stories that we discussed came from one guy: Scotty Bowers, a Hollywood pimp of the queer silver screen actors of the 1940s and beyond. He was also associated with Alfred Kinsey in his famous study of human sexuality in the 1950s by providing many of the interview subjects.
A former marine, Bowers kept hushed for many years about these stories, as he did not want to adversely affect the lives of any of the actors who were still around. Many of the stories were actively hushed up using fixers paid by the studios at the time, and several of the actors were in "lavender marriages"---marriages arranged by the studio, frequently with another queer player. At the time, studios especially would not include wanted the queer attractions of their headlining actors to be widely famous, as that would acquire damaged the 'wholesome family image' of many of the films they wanted to market.
After all of the actors died, Bowers finally decided that his experiences and stories couldn't harm their image or beloved status---plus the planet was a more clear place to queer attraction---so he wrote about it. His memoir, Full Service, records many of the t
Step back in hour with us, as we explore the colourful, vibrant, and oftentimes misunderstood planet of the 1950s. This was a decade of significant adjust, marked by the rise of the civil rights movement, the burgeoning second wave of feminism, and the prior roots of Homosexual activism. Throughout this tumultuous era, a handful of brave individuals stood out as queer icons, their influence still palpable today. So, let's unwrap the stories of these amazing individuals who dared to be unlike, and let their legacy of event inspire us to continue the defend for equality.
Who were they? These were actors, writers, singers, and activists who lived their facts, often in the face of adversity. They were pleased, they were bold, and they were unapologetic. They are the pioneers of the LGBTQ+ society, their stories a testament to resilience and authenticity.
Why does it matter? Their lives and works aid as an essential reminder that the rights and acceptance we enjoy today were hard-fought for. Thus, it's essential to recognise and remember the trailblazers who dared to exist on their terms, paving the path for many of us today.
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So, buckle up as w
For many, June represents the month of pride; a time to celebrate, educate and communicate all that is queer, gay and fabulous. Although today being queer isn’t much of a deal, back in the 50’s it was a dangerous label to have. Throughout history, thousands acquire lost their lives because they were labeled as ‘gay’ or ‘queer’ and many lived out their true sexual preferences in secrecy. As it’s almost the end of Pride month, I wanted to have a view at some celebrities from the golden age of Hollywood who were gay, or at least thats what the rumours said. It’s difficult to know if all these celebrities, and of course many more, were truly gay, but I wanted to share a few stories just so see how far we’ve come. Happy pride everyone.
*Disclaimer: Please note that some of the following stories may depict graphic descriptions and behaviours which some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Katherine Hepburn
Iconic Hollywood actress and Academy Award-winning performer in films such as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter, and On Golden Pond, Katherine Hepburn reportedly had an insatiab
FIVE GAY ACTORS IN MID-CENTURY HOLLYWOOD
by David Ehrenstein
Now that gay actors like Nathan Path, Jim Parsons, Victor Garber, Jonathan Groff, and Neil Patrick Harris are “out of the closet” and on the rise, it’s tough to imagine just how different things were in the relatively recent past. Not only was the notion of being openly queer and having a viable career unimaginable, but gayness itself was also a concept polite population couldn’t countenance. “Homosexuals” subsisted on society’s margins, mentioned only in whispered gossip, fearsome psychiatric studies, and Conservative diatribes decrying perversion.
Hiding In Plain Sight
Still, in spite of it all, gay men managed to form their way to very top of the acting profession in the gilded closets of Hollywood. In this covert context, bigtime careers and personal lives proceeded with a calculated risk that can fascinate us today. Here are five of the most noteworthy examples of gay actors in mid-Century Hollywood.
LIBERACE
Liberace was an utterly unique entertainer. A pianist whose proceed consisted of an abbreviated arrangement of select “classic