Homoerotic Archaeology: Honcho (May 1991), Part One

Friday, May 1, 2020

Honcho (May 1991), Part One

The same-sex practices of ancient Greece, particularly those between an erastēs and pais, have been a longstanding inspiration and reference to the homosexual community, with the English author Oscar Wilde referring to the homoerotic urges of his male characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray as “the spirit that is Greek.” Such is the case, in turn, with Martin Rubin’s short story “The Riding Academy,” which is featured in the May 1991 issue of Honcho. Throughout the narrative, the writer makes several references to the homosexual deeds of the Grecians, particularly intercrural/interfemoral sex (what the Greeks termed diamērizein) and the popular game ephedrismos, where nude participants carried each other atop their shoulders. In addition to the tale, this particular issue, which has been broken into three parts, features spreads titled “Playing for Keeps” and “Under Construction” and the short story “Wild Bull Rider" (about the narrator’s longings for the injured rodeo bull rider he is caring for) in its first third.

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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.