Homoerotic Archaeology: Heat (May 1990), Part Three

Friday, May 24, 2019

Heat (May 1990), Part Three

In comparison to many homoertoic publications, Heat experienced an exceedingly brief lifespan, beginning in 1987 and, with the exception of two specialty issues in 1994 and 1998, ending in 1993. Although it featured photos of industry heavy-hitters like Joey Stephano and Jeff Stryker, the magazine and its ephemeral life serve as a strong reminder of just how fickle the world of homoeroticism can be and how, in an overly inundated and highly competitive marketplace, mediocrity can be a rapid death sentence. Parts of these factors can be witnessed in the May 1990 edition, which has been broken into three sections. In addition to spreads titled "Sexual Insomnia" and "Alley Cat," the third part (see the first and second parts here) also offers the short story "Athletic Supporter," about a college journalist whose scathing articles on the football team lead to a vengeful gang bang that concludes with a one-on-one session with the quarterback. Interestingly, the same fascination with hairy Italian men witnessed in "Pizza Boy" is also present in "Athletic Supporter."

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What is Homoerotic Archaeology?

In 2016, I discovered several discarded boxes at an estate sale. Under their flimsy flaps were hundreds of well-worn issues of homoerotic magazines from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. I purchased them out of mild intrigue and, as I perused their pages, I was startled to realize that something commonly disregarded as pornographic smut earnestly chronicled the evolution of gay culture: the social and sexual liberation of the 1970s, the crushing devastation from AIDS during the 1980s, and the gradual strengthening of the community in the 1990s. As a gay man, I was touched by the subtle narrative these publications told. As a historian, I was motivated to digitally preserve their content. And, as an educator, I was driven to create a platform to share that information freely with others interested in the progression of gay society. Homoerotic Archaeology is that venue. Here you will find the advertisements, articles, short stories, and (of course) pictures found in these magazines lovingly preserved and presented for future generations of gay men to enjoy and study.

Why Preserve Homoerotica?

As early as the 1970s, scholars such as June Rook have stressed the need to preserve homosexual history in an effort to combat repression and establish a cultural background for future generations. Much of the preservation process admirably focuses on the substantial works of homosexual artists and thinkers; however, it sadly ignores other elements quintessential to the community’s history, particularly homoerotica. Although frequently labeled obscene filth, homoerotica has, just like the significant creations of artists and thinkers, been a prevalent part of the group’s culture and has played an integral role in shaping identities and perceptions (consider how influential Tom of Finland’s hypermasculinity has been in molding the body ideals of modern gay men). Due to this factor, the conservation of homoerotica is just as essential as the preservation of major artistic and theoretical homosexual works.