Homoerotic Archaeology: Blueboy (May 1986), Part Two

Friday, May 28, 2021

Blueboy (May 1986), Part Two

A darkly comedic work, Robert Rodi’s novel Fag Hag (1993) explores the unique friendships between gay men and straight women and the precarious romantic attractions that can occur. For Natalie Stathis, this adoration toward her gay best friend, Peter Leland, is taken to the extreme and the character repeatedly sabotages Peter’s dating life to preserve their relationship, with the novel culminating into Natalie kidnapping Peter, locking him in her basement, and attempting to win his love. In the May 1986 issue of Blueboy (which has been broken into two parts), the article by Susan Ross and her gay friend provides advice for how to avoid the incidents depicted in Rodi’s fictional tale. As the authors stress, it is important for both parties to establish concrete boundaries that respect each other’s lifestyles. Interestingly, Ross’ article pairs well with Sheila Kohn’s work in the February 1978 issue of Blueboy, where Kohn explains how her amorous feelings toward her gay friend prompted the death of their friendship. Included in the second half of this issue (see the first half here) is an article on the Summit Lodge in Rockbridge, Ohio, and photo spreads of Chris from Surge Studio and several of Roy Dean’s models.

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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.