Homoerotic Archaeology

Friday, October 23, 2026

Honcho (October 1979), Part One

In his mid-twenties when he began modeling for Colt Studios, Hank Ditmar appeared in two films: a camping-themed scene with Mark Rutter in Shack Up and a solo session in Blood, Sweat & Beers, both released in 1979. Although he only performed in two movies, Ditmar was featured in several photospreads for the studio, including their 1980 calendar where he dressed as a sailor. This October 1979 issue of Honcho (which has been broken into two parts) showcases Ditmar the same year as his film roles. Also included in this first half is the short story “The Challenge” (about two warring adult performers whose rivalry comes to a head during a shoot) and photos of model Ron.

Friday, October 16, 2026

Stars (October 1984)

After serving two years in the Israeli army, Toby Ross moved to the United States in the 1970s, eventually settling in San Franciso where began directing adult films. By the early 2000s, he transitioned to comedies, including the 2008 Moon over Hong Kong which parodies the secret agent movies of James Bond. Although Ross has moved away from erotic films, his earlier works – Crusin’ 57 (1975), Do Me Evil (1975), and Schoolmates (1976) among them – continue to be popular among gay film circles. Featured in this October 1984 issues of Stars are images from his 1983 film The Last Surfer, along with an Alex in Wonderland comic, an excerpt from Phallus (a history of the penis originally printed in the Guild during 1969), and an illustration by artist Harry Bush.

Friday, October 9, 2026

Torso (October 1987), Part Two

In this October 1987 issue of Torso (which has been broken into two parts), a review for Chance of a Lifetime praises the film for its chemistry between the performers. In fact, as Benjamin Scuglia – who has documented gay pornography for Inside Porn Magazine since 1995 – explains, directors and production companies go to great lengths to capture the sexual magnetism between actors on camera. Many studios, Falcon and Titan Men among them, have strict policies which prevent actors from fraternizing before the shoot in the hopes of recording “that first flame of attraction.” Others, such as George Duroy for Bel Ami and Kristen Bjorn for Sarava, take great pains to manufacture the chemistry, with Bjorn notoriously spending upwards of three days on a scene to achieve his desired outcomes. Indeed, two of Bjorn’s models are featured in this issue, along with photospreads titled “Built,” “Daredevil,” “Homebody,” and “On the Rocks.”

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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.