The Best Gift to Get Your Gay Son (or Friend, Brother, Cousin, Uncle, etc.)

We quietly celebrated my 32nd birthday last week, and my mom got me the best gift ever…

LOVING, A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850’s-1950’s. It’s this huge, beautiful book filled with black and white photos of men who were very clearly in love with each other, posing for the camera. I immediately called her to thank her and said this was the best present she could have ever given me for my birthday.

The pictures in LOVING are tender, passionate and, in a small way, somewhat sad. Knowing these men lived in a time where they could never be their true selves to anyone outside of the photographer and the man beside them is a heartbreaking realization, don’t you think?

Even the bravery it took to pose for these photos is astounding, but I’m so glad they did. Here is actual proof, in case anyone needed it, that gay people have always been around in every time period ever, and we’re obviously not going anywhere.

I couldn’t believe just how many photos there were in the book. They were found in thrift stores, personal collections, shoe boxes and online auctions, and all compiled into this big, gorgeous book.