The new book LOVING: A Photographic History of Men in Love portrays romantic love between men in hundreds of moving photographs taken between the 1850s and 1950s. Now, the authors are sharing some of the never-before-published photos exclusively with LGBTQ Nation this month along with their thoughts and the backstory behind each photo.
Taken when male partnerships were often illegal, the photos are from the collection of a married couple, Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell, who over the past 20 years have meticulously accumulated over 2,800 snapshots, portraits, and group photos.
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The couple found them at flea markets, in shoe boxes, estate sales, family archives, old suitcases, and online auctions. Their collection now includes photos from all over the world.
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The technology used consists of ambrotypes, daguerreotypes, glass negatives, tintypes, cabinet cards, photo postcards, photo strips, photomatics, and snapshots – over one hundred years of social history that reflect changing fashion, hairstyles, and societal norms, as well as the development of photography.
The men in LOVING shared a common desire to be seen and memorialize their stories despite the risks. Each image is an open demonstration of love, affection, and also bravery. The message here is as old as time, but from an unexpected, and heretofore silent, source.
Challenging boundaries, universal in reach, and overwhelming in impact, the photos speak to our spirit and resilience, our capacity for bliss, and our longing for the shared truths of love. It moves the conversation beyond old stereotypes and shifts the narrative to where it should have been all along: two people in love can be any two people, regardless of gender, orientation, or any other human-created divide.
Photograph
Undated
179 x 130 mm
Provenance: US
Hugh and Neal: This came early in our collecting years. This couple’s embrace has a youthful enthusiasm that is both charming and disarming.
Dating from around the late ’40s or early ’50s, this photo conceals nothing. There are many clever ways to pose as a couple and not be emphatic about it, but this photo leaves nothing to the imagination. It says in no uncertain terms, “we are a couple, and we are in love”.
It also says “our car.” Boyfriends posing with their cars have a special angle to them that could imply joint ownership of something of value. Jointly owning something with the one you love is a strong message to the couple themselves – and to others.
