Homoerotic Archaeology: Numbers (March 1981)

Friday, March 26, 2021

Numbers (March 1981)

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, leather and sadomasochism were still considered deviant subgroups in the homosexual community and much of their inner workings were steeped in both mystery and misunderstanding. In fact, as Steven Hogan and Lee Hudson highlight, even into the 1990s, leather and sadomasochistic activities were commonly barred in mainstream gay and lesbian events. In this March 1981 issue of Numbers, an interview with Fred DiMarco, a member of this subgroup, aims to dispel many of these misconceptions. Also included in this issue are a gay-themed connect-the-dots and crossword puzzle, a photo spread dedicated to athletes, and the short stories “Fucked to Death” (a comedic tale about a blow-up doll) and “Twenty Minutes” (a strangely lyrical homage to two men’s weekly meetings on Saturdays).

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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.