Category: Art

​Explore the vibrant world of gay art, LGBTQ+ artists, and queer creators at Gayety. From engaging art exhibitions to the latest LGBTQ+ literature, Gayety offers comprehensive coverage of queer art.

  • What Your Fave ‘Date Everything’ Man Says About You

    What Your Fave ‘Date Everything’ Man Says About You

    An extremely scientific investigation of your taste in video game furniture.

    You’ve dated twinks, you’ve dated otters, you’ve dated bears, but have you ever dated a couch? Date Everything asks the eternal question: what if the objects in your house were hot, emotionally complex, and down to vibe? Finally, you no longer have to feel shame for your emotional attachment to a refrigerator. Shout it from the rooftops, people—you’re in love with a curtain rod and you don’t care who knows it!

    Related | What Your Queer-Coded Nintendo Character Says About You (Part 2)

    What Is Date Everything?

    If you’re new here: Date Everything is a surreal dating sim where you romance the personified versions of household objects—think: couches, toilets, doors, and mirrors, all with fully voiced dialogue and surprisingly complex emotional arcs. Yes, it’s deeply weird. At this point, I need this level of departure from reality to effectively dissociate, okay?

    The characters are funny, flirtatious, and packed with more red flags than your last group chat. Whether you’re into strong, silent types or chaotic charmers, there’s someone (or something?) for everyone. So in the spirit of introspection (and public shaming), we’ve compiled this definitive list of what your favorite Date Everything man says about you.

    Spoiler: it’s not flattering.

    What Your Favorite Man in Date Everything Says About You

    Abel from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Abel from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Abel

    You’re a sucker for the emotionally constipated. You want a loyal man who smells like sawdust and repressed feelings. A man who’ll fix your wobbly chair but not talk about his trauma until year three. You fantasize about slow-dancing in a quiet kitchen, maybe while healing his wooden heart with homemade pie.

    • Sign: Taurus
    • Favorite Food: Biscuits and gravy
    • Hobby: Several, but none you stick with
    • Green Flag: Always ready for a cozy night in
    • Red Flag: Chronic red-flag-blindness
    Amir from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Amir from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Amir

    You want to be courted. You’re drawn to big feelings, poetic texts, and men who’ll “read your aura” on the second date. You’ve definitely trauma-bonded with someone in a bathroom. People think you have main character syndrome—and you do—but it’s not your fault that you’re a deeply interesting person.

    • Sign: Libra
    • Favorite Food: Grapes, fed to you by hand
    • Hobby: Crying to voice memos you sent yourself
    • Green Flag: Deep believer in words of affirmation
    • Red Flag: Low-key delulu
    Barry from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Barry from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Barry

    You don’t need attention from everyone, just from the people who matter most. You’re drawn to charmers who talk a mile a minute, have five side quests at once, and still remember to tell you you’re beautiful. You want a partner who turns heads but only has eyes for you. Bonus points if they smell like a Sephora.

    • Sign: Virgo
    • Favorite Food: Something you split with someone
    • Hobby: Reorganizing everything you own
    • Green Flag: Shows up without keeping score
    • Red Flag: Currently rethinking everything you’ve ever text

    Related | 55 Illustrations Celebrating Bellies and Bears

    Cabrizzio from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Cabrizzio

    You say you’re looking for something real, but who are you kidding? You want someone hot, charming, and just mysterious enough to project your entire romantic fantasy onto. You love a smooth talker who knows wine pairings and how to make you feel like the most interesting person in the room. Oh, and they should be a good person too, I guess.

    • Sign: Sagittarius
    • Favorite Food: Pasta made with way too much butter
    • Hobby: Romanticizing your own life in 4K
    • Green Flag: Being around you is free entertainment
    • Red Flag: Has never sat still
    Cam from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Cam from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Cam

    You fall for men who are prickly, scruffy, and emotionally under construction. Cam’s not warm, not charming, not even trying to impress you, and somehow those are all pluses to you? You think being chosen by someone who trusts no one is the highest romantic honor. You’re either the softest soul alive or fully in your self-sabotage era. Sidenote: Are you okay?

    • Sign: Scorpio
    • Favorite Food: Big leftover eater
    • Hobby: Projecting onto emotionally unavailable people
    • Green Flag: Funny, because trauma
    • Red Flag: Gets jealous, stays jealous
    Chance from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Chance from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Chance

    You want someone who plans dates like side quests and kisses like it’s a critical hit. You’re drawn to the kind of chaos that kicks the door in first and rolls initiative later. You don’t mind a little awkwardness, as long as they light up when they talk about their latest hyperfixation. You’re not just looking for love. You’re looking for a companion.

    • Sign: Gemini
    • Favorite Food: Trail mix (but it’s mostly M&Ms)
    • Hobby: Your 10-year-old DnD campaign
    • Green Flag: Down for literally anything
    • Red Flag: Starts fights over niche lore and wins
    Curt and Rod from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Curt and Rod from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Curt & Rod

    Why date one person when you could date two who already have amazing taste and impeccable banter? You want to be adored, entertained, and occasionally dragged in matching outfits. You live for drama, chaos, and being at the center of the best tea in the neighborhood. If love isn’t a three-person production with outfit changes and whispered insults, what’s the point?

    • Sign: Leo
    • Favorite Food: A martini you didn’t pay for
    • Hobby: Eavesdropping, but make it fashion
    • Green Flag: Keeps receipts
    • Red Flag: Reads them out loud
    Daisuke from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Daisuke from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Daisuke

    You don’t need chatter. You need competence, calm, and someone who can stack emotions as neatly as they stack plates. You fall for the serious ones—the ones who won’t open up to just anyone, and definitely not right away. You say you’re low-maintenance, but what you really are is patient.

    • Sign: Capricorn
    • Favorite Food: Black coffee “with no sugar,” you exclaim
    • Hobby: Telling people about Kintsugi
    • Green Flag: Deeply curious
    • Red Flag: “Um, actually…”
    Dorian from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Dorian from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Dorian

    You fall for the strong, silent type. The one who never opens up, never makes the first move, and somehow still has you thinking, “He’s just scared to love.” You say you’re emotionally mature, but you’re really just deeply committed to unlocking his tragic backstory. The suit? Immaculate. The build? Unholy. The emotional repression? A project.

    • Sign: Cancer
    • Favorite Food: Something you cooked and he complimented once
    • Hobby: Holding a cup of tea for emotional support
    • Green Flag: Honestly? You might actually fix him
    • Red Flag: Thinks no texts for two hours is “giving him space”
    Jean Loo Pissoir from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Jean Loo Pissoir from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Jean Loo Pissoir

    You’re not intimidated by confidence. You’re turned on by it. Jean Loo is loud, rhyming, vaguely damp, and literally a toilet, but that just makes you want him more. You’re pathologically drawn to the one person no one else would ever date. Not because you’re desperate, but because you’re different. You don’t fall in love. It’s all for the bit, right? Right!?

    • Sign: Aquarius
    • Favorite Food: Sushi in bed, like a weirdo
    • Hobby: Weaponizing irony
    • Green Flag: Unshakable confidence
    • Red Flag: So, um, you’re definitely dating a toilet!
    Koa from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Koa from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Koa

    You’re soft. Too soft. A human onesie, even. You fall for gentle giants with extra cushion for pushin. Love to you is being swaddled in a warm blanket after crying in the bath, listening to Enya, and that’s valid! You think silence is romantic and physical touch is a personality trait.

    • Sign: Pisces
    • Favorite Food: Chips and too much dip
    • Hobby: Projecting your feelings onto inanimate objects
    • Green Flag: Deeply intuitive, genuinely caring
    • Red Flag: Will trauma-bond with a couch
    Teddy from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Teddy from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Teddy

    You burn bright, move fast, and fall hard. That’s why you need someone soft to land on. You’re drawn to quiet strength, calm voices, and bear-shaped men who radiate dad energy. Teddy doesn’t just hug, he heals. You say you want emotional growth, but what you really want someone to listen to your chaos, validate your pain, and hand you a warm beverage before you finish ranting. Is that so much to ask?

    • Sign: Aries
    • Favorite Food: Melted cheese in all its forms
    • Hobby: Talking at all possible times
    • Green Flag: Down for literally anything
    • Red Flag: Desperately needs fixing
    Vaughn from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games
    Vaughn from Date Everyting via Sassy Chap Games

    Vaughn

    Nurse, the patient is escaping!

    Buy Date Everything Today

    Whether you saw yourself dating the main character, the quiet fixer, or the literal toilet, one thing’s clear: your taste in men is as complex (and chaotic) as ever. But hey, we’re not here to judge. We’re here to enable. If you haven’t already fallen headfirst into the weird, tender, and unhinged world of Date Everything, now’s your chance.

    Date Everything is out now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo.

  • Queer Photographer John Andrus Captures the Soul of DTLA in Stunning Coffee Table Book

    Queer Photographer John Andrus Captures the Soul of DTLA in Stunning Coffee Table Book

    For photographer John Andrus, a portrait is never just a picture. It’s an emotional exchange, an act of trust, and especially for queer subjects, a quiet form of resistance. With his coffee table book dtla, Andrus invites us into that deeply intimate world, showcasing more than four years of photography featuring over 50 models set against the electric, evolving backdrop of downtown Los Angeles.

    “Every time a person sits for a portrait, it’s an opportunity,” Andrus says in his artist statement. “A chance to capture the beauty in you that, for whatever reason, you might not see.”

    That guiding philosophy is at the heart of dtla, which blends lush cityscapes with evocative portraits of queer people from 2020 to 2024. The images document not only a city in flux, but a community reclaiming its joy and visibility.

    Creating a Space for Trust and Great Photos

    “It can be incredibly vulnerable and nerve-wracking for someone to step in front of a camera,” Andrus explains. “So for me, trust between a photographer and subject is sacred.”

    He emphasizes the importance of atmosphere, music, and intention. “If I’ve done my job right, I’ve fostered a comfortable space where they feel they can trust me to make them look incredible.”

    A glimpse into photographer John Andrus' coffee table book, dtla.
    Photo: John Andrus
    A glimpse into photographer John Andrus' coffee table book, dtla.
    Photo: John Andrus
    A glimpse into photographer John Andrus' coffee table book, dtla.
    Photo: John Andrus

    That ease is what transforms a good photo into something more profound. “A good photo has great lighting and composition and all of the technical perfections you strive for,” he says. “A meaningful portrait… draws you in, tells a story, it makes you feel.”

    A Time Capsule of Queer Life in the City

    Andrus moved into his DTLA studio in July 2020, during what he thought was the tail end of the pandemic. “In hindsight, it was obviously still early days, so in those first months DTLA felt like a ghost of its former self,” he says. “Over the years, getting to see the city slowly come back to life and to be a part of that community has been really exciting.”

    The book is as much a reflection of his personal growth as it is a showcase of Los Angeles. “Almost every facet, from personal, to professional, and everything in-between, changed,” he says. “Every portrait, a mile marker; every building, a milestone.”

    Photography as Visibility and Community Care

    Andrus doesn’t shy away from the political and emotional power of his work. “In this present climate, visibility and representation matter now more than ever before,” he says. “I have the privilege of photographing queer people, every day. I hope in documenting the queer people who lived and loved today, I am able to contribute to our community’s resistance and resilience.”

    For him, dtla is more than art, it’s memory, identity, and survival.

    A glimpse into photographer John Andrus' coffee table book, dtla.
    Photo: John Andrus
    A glimpse into photographer John Andrus' coffee table book, dtla.
    Photo: John Andrus

    What’s Next? Think Bigger Cities, Bigger Dreams

    While dtla is rooted in Los Angeles, Andrus has his eyes set on the East Coast next. “I’ve been spending more and more time in New York, so creatively I feel drawn there,” he shares. “I would love to focus on a book featuring models from the East Coast with New York’s cityscape as the backdrop.”

    And, of course, a magazine cover is on the vision board. “It is my dream to shoot an editorial cover. GQ… hit me up!”

    Advice to Young Queer Creatives

    To queer photographers just starting out, Andrus offers this: “Shoot what you love. Cliché, maybe, but your joy will come through in your images. Be curious, try what’s exciting to you. You can study technique (and you should), but there’s no better way to learn and create your own artistic identity than by picking up your camera and shooting.”

    In dtla, that passion is visible on every page. It’s a love letter to a city, a community, and a moment in time. But more than that, it’s a reminder: everyone deserves that photo, the one where you see yourself and think, I was beautiful all along.

    To see more of John’s work or pick up a copy of dtla, visit misterandrus.com and follow him on Instagram at @misterandrus.

    A glimpse into photographer John Andrus' coffee table book, dtla.
    Photo: John Andrus
    A glimpse into photographer John Andrus' coffee table book, dtla.
    Photo: John Andrus
  • Tom of Finland Foundation Launches First Group Show Spotlighting Queer Myth and Mischief

    Tom of Finland Foundation Launches First Group Show Spotlighting Queer Myth and Mischief

    The Tom of Finland Foundation is bringing together over 60 LGBTQ+ artists from around the world for its first-ever group exhibition, FXLK PLAY: Mythmaking, Devotion, and Mischief. Opening September 13 at Long Hall in West Hollywood’s Plummer Park, the show pays tribute to the Foundation’s trailblazing Artist-in-Residence (A-i-R) program and the erotic legacy of TOM House in Echo Park.

    The exhibition, which runs through October 12, transforms the gallery into a lush, immersive environment inspired by the archives and aesthetics of the legendary artist Tom of Finland. Curated by Jamison Edgar, FXLK PLAY captures the rebellious, sensual, and spiritual essence of queer creativity, all while honoring the artists who have lived and created within the walls of TOM House over the past 15 years.

    A Celebration and a Defiant Act

    For Edward Cella, CEO of the Tom of Finland Foundation, the timing of this debut group show isn’t just about celebration, it’s a necessary cultural response.

    “As we celebrate over 40 years of this work, we’re also looking toward the next forty, asking what the future of Tom’s legacy can and should be,” Cella told Gayety. “We’re living through a time of increased censorship and rollback of queer and creative freedoms. This exhibition is both a celebration and a defiant act—amplifying artists who are shaping a more liberated and inclusive future.”

    The opening day features remarks by Cella, a keynote by Edgar, a panel with artists-in-residence, and a public performance and reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit is free and open Thursdays through Sundays with docents on site.

    POL ANGLADA
Untitled #10, 2021 
Colored pencil on paper
    Untitled #10, 2021. Colored pencil on paper. Photo: POL ANGLADA
    PHUC LE Rich, 2008/2018, 2008 Chromogenic color print
    Rich, 2008/2018, 2008 Chromogenic color print. Photo: PHUC LE

    Mythmaking, Devotion, and Mischief

    As the name suggests, FXLK PLAY explores themes central to queer experience: imagination, intimacy, and irreverence.

    “Tom of Finland created a visual mythology that has shaped queer consciousness for generations,” Cella said. “The artists in this show respond to that myth while forging their own vision. Devotion describes the deep bond between artist, archive, and community. And then there’s mischief, because these artists are disruptors. They provoke dialogue and reorient how we see the world.”

    The show is organized into four thematic sections:

    • “House of Gods” mines the Foundation’s massive archive, which includes over 1,000 works by Tom and 8,000 by other queer artists.
    • “Pleasure Park” explores how desire shapes physical space, drawing inspiration from TOM House’s gardens and intimate moments.
    • “Skeletons in the Closet” tackles taboo, kink, race, and gender – featuring a listening station with reflections from past residents.
    • “DOM TOM” honors Tom of Finland’s legacy of erotic resistance, showcasing contemporary artists pushing those boundaries further.
    RACHEL BRITTON
Smoke No. 3, 2021
Archival digital print
    Smoke No. 3, 2021 Archival digital print. Photo: RACHEL BRITTON
    STUART SANDFORD
Polaroid Collage XXII, 2020
Archival pigment print on paper, Edition 2/3
    Polaroid Collage XXII, 2020 Archival pigment print on paper, Edition 2/3.
    DONALD C. SHORTER, JR.Untitled #3, 2022 Photographs by Benjamin Fredrickson Featuring Donald C. Shorter Jr. and Sir Malice
    DONALD C. SHORTER, JR. Untitled #3, 2022 Featuring Donald C. Shorter Jr. and Sir Malice Photo: Benjamin Fredrickson

    A Living Pantheon of Queer Creativity

    Founded in 1984, the Foundation has long served as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ artists facing censorship and marginalization. Its Artist-in-Residence program, now in its 15th year, is central to that mission.

    “Artists arrive with a sense of curiosity and leave with a sense of conviction,” Cella explained. “Many describe it as a second coming out—where their practice becomes more intimate, bold, and unapologetically queer.”

    More than just a studio, TOM House is a “living archive, a sanctuary, and a spark,” according to Cella. “It invites experimentation without judgment. Artists are free to explore sexuality, identity, and community without constraint.”

    Global Talent and Lasting Impact

    The list of participating artists is expansive, ranging from emerging talent to internationally recognized names like Pol Anglada, who has collaborated with brands like JW Anderson and Moncler, and Stuart Sandford, whose work resides in the Elton John and David Furnish Photography Collection.

    “One of the most powerful outcomes has been witnessing how artists carry the spirit of TOM House back into their own communities,” said Cella. “The residency becomes a catalyst. It has created an international constellation of queer creatives whose voices amplify the Foundation’s mission in their own ways.”

    Reframing Eroticism as Power

    At the heart of the show, and the Foundation itself, is a bold assertion: that eroticism is integral to queer identity, not something to be sanitized.

    “Sexuality is inseparable from queer identity. To ask artists to exclude eroticism is to ask them to censor themselves,” said Cella. “This exhibition creates space for unfiltered expression. Desire is not something to be hidden, it’s something to be honored.”

    Looking Ahead

    With the support of the City of West Hollywood and the John Burton Harter Foundation, FXLK PLAY also includes a schedule of public programming and collaborations with local businesses and arts groups.

    “Community is the foundation of our mission,” said Cella. “These collaborations help us expand access and foster shared purpose. In today’s climate, solidarity across institutions is critical.”

    Looking to the future, the Foundation has big plans. Cella outlined goals to expand curatorial programming, increase accessibility to the archives, and ensure TOM House’s physical preservation.

    “We’re building a future where the Foundation serves an even broader spectrum of queer identities,” he said.

    How to Get Involved

    The Foundation welcomes participation beyond gallery visits. From tours and events to volunteering and digital engagement, there are countless ways to support.

    “The Foundation belongs to everyone who sees a part of themselves in Tom’s work,” Cella said. “We’re here to meet them, wherever they are.”

  • Buckle Up: Red Hot Roadtrip Delivers Ginger Hunks, Motel Mischief and Nude Americana Fantasy

    Buckle Up: Red Hot Roadtrip Delivers Ginger Hunks, Motel Mischief and Nude Americana Fantasy

    Fasten your seatbelt and ditch your clothes, Red Hot Roadtrip is revving its engine and ready to ride.

    The latest edition of Thomas Knights’ beloved all-nude ginger calendar has arrived, and it’s a high-octane visual feast. Known for transforming redheaded men from punchlines to pin-ups, Knights is back with a cinematic journey through dusty highways, neon-lit pit stops, and sun-soaked motel rooms. Red Hot Roadtrip is the calendar’s most daring chapter yet, and it’s already got fans hot under the collar.

    Red Hot Roadtrip takes the ginger nude calendar to new heights with sunburnt rebels, motel mischief, and Americana heat. Ships October 2025.
    Photo: Thomas Knights
    Red Hot Roadtrip takes the ginger nude calendar to new heights with sunburnt rebels, motel mischief, and Americana heat. Ships October 2025.
    Photo: Thomas Knights

    From Fire Island to the Fast Lane

    After the runaway success of Red Hot Fire Island, the best-selling calendar in the series’ 10-year history, Knights knew he needed to up the stakes.

    Roadtrip is a total departure from what we’ve done before,” he told us in an exclusive interview. “It’s Americana meets erotic fantasy. Think redheaded rebels in the desert, cowboy mischief, motel lust. It’s sweaty, sexy, and it doesn’t hold back.”

    The calendar features a brand-new cast of ginger heartthrobs in editorial-style shoots that blur the line between fashion and fantasy. There’s story in every frame, and the visuals feel straight out of a sun-faded road movie with a very NSFW twist.

    “I wanted this one to feel like a film,” said Knights. “You flip the pages and get pulled deeper into this world of freedom, rebellion, and temptation. It’s about capturing that electric moment when you’re young, wild, and on the edge of something dangerous.”

    Red Hot Roadtrip takes the ginger nude calendar to new heights with sunburnt rebels, motel mischief, and Americana heat. Ships October 2025.
    Photo: Thomas Knights
    Red Hot Roadtrip takes the ginger nude calendar to new heights with sunburnt rebels, motel mischief, and Americana heat. Ships October 2025.
    Photo: Thomas Knights

    A Decade of Red Hot and Still Blazing

    What started as a bold art project to reframe the narrative around redheaded men has grown into an international sensation. Red Hot has spawned exhibitions, books, and a loyal fanbase who fund and preorder every new release with unwavering enthusiasm.

    “The Kickstarter hit its goal in under 48 hours,” Knights said, still slightly in awe. “It feels… amazing! I’m not gonna lie. To have built a brand where our fans support our Kickstarters and buy our calendars every year is just incredible. I didn’t expect to be in this position 10 years later.”

    Redheaded men, long mocked in pop culture and media, have become icons of desire thanks to Knights’ lens. “The goal from day one was to flip the stereotype,” he said. “People used to laugh at gingers. We wanted to make them the fantasy. Now people get it, and they want more.”

    Beyond the Calendar: Red Hot XXL

    As Roadtrip barrels toward an October 2025 ship date, Knights is already preparing to launch his most provocative project yet: Red Hot XXL. Part art book, part calendar, part gallery exhibition, XXL explores the cultural fixation on endowment—and fuses it with the allure of the ginger mythos.

    “We’re combining two queer obsessions: redheads and size,” said Knights. “It’s not just shock value. It’s art, it’s history, it’s sex, and it’s smart. We’re bringing together Red Hot alumni, porn stars, fresh amateurs, and a few surprise names. It’s going to be big in every way.”

    The project includes 100 full-frontal images and will feature essays from queer writers, adult film legends, and art historians exploring the role of size in gay culture.

    “For centuries, well-endowed men have held this almost mythic status,” Knights said. “And gingers are already rare and fetishized. So combining the two, it’s this perfect storm of fantasy and representation.”

    Red Hot Roadtrip takes the ginger nude calendar to new heights with sunburnt rebels, motel mischief, and Americana heat. Ships October 2025.
    Photo: Thomas Knights
    Red Hot Roadtrip takes the ginger nude calendar to new heights with sunburnt rebels, motel mischief, and Americana heat. Ships October 2025.
    Photo: Thomas Knights

    Why It Still Matters

    For Knights, the art has always had a mission. Yes, it’s sexy, bold, and often outrageous—but at its core, Red Hot is about visibility.

    “It’s about making people feel seen and sexy,” he said. “There’s power in celebrating bodies that the world once told us weren’t desirable. If you can take someone who’s been bullied for their freckles or skin tone, and put them on a pedestal—that changes something. It did for me, and I know it has for others.”

    Whether you’re in it for the gingers, the art, or just the thrill of watching taboo turned into beauty, Red Hot Roadtrip is more than just a calendar—it’s an ode to freedom, eroticism, and unapologetic self-expression.

    Preorders are now open, with calendars set to ship in late October. As Knights puts it, “Buckle up. This one’s going to be wild.”

  • 35 Photos Depicting Queer Resilience and Joy at NYC Pride

    35 Photos Depicting Queer Resilience and Joy at NYC Pride

    NYC Pride

    Here we are, at the end of another Pride month and on the other side of NYC Pride. For four years we have seen the scales tip against LGBTQIA+ rights in the United States, with anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation growing in number every year. This year that number reached record highs. For a brief moment, some in the LGBTQIA+ community almost breathed a full sigh of relief. It seemed for a short time that perhaps the worst of the queerphobic legislation was behind us. It’s clear now that this was at best wishful thinking and at worst a naive and false sense of security.

    Related | Supreme Court Sides With Anti-Gay Website Designer

    Be Gay and Organize

    Despite this, if there is one thing the queer community does well, it’s organizing. Whether it’s to protest or to celebrate (and let’s be honest, sometimes it’s both) we never miss out on an opportunity to come together. The first Pride parade in NYC, Christopher Street Liberation Day, took place exactly one year after the Stonewall Uprising. Since that day Pride celebrations have been a symbol of resilience, acceptance, and unity within the LGBTQIA+ community. These electrifying events serve as a platform to honor the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals while also celebrating their identities and achinéeevements.

    Keep scrolling for photos of NYC Pride, taken by New York-based photographer Madison Swart, that capture queer resilience and joy.

    Photo by Madison Swart

    Related | 50 Photos Celebrating Pride and Kink at NOLA Pride

    Photo by Madison Swart

    Joy and Resilience

    At Pride, an atmosphere of celebration prevails, fostering an environment where queer and trans joy can shine brightly. Celebrating trans joy in the face of 355 active anti-trans laws this year alone is a powerful act. Pride celebrations, like NYC Pride, serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of the trans community. It also reminds us what it means to “celebrate” Pride in the first place. Years like this one, marked with hardship and tragedy as they are, ask us to make space for both joy and resilience. Together they create a passion for liberation. Without this, we are already shrinking ourselves back down to fit into the closets society built for us many years ago.

    Make sure to follow Madison Swart for more queer joy and resilience and consider supporting their work on Ko-Fi.

  • Ease Over Optics: How Two Grooms Planned the Most Intimate Gay Wedding

    Ease Over Optics: How Two Grooms Planned the Most Intimate Gay Wedding

    Ten years after Obergefell, Darnell Lamont and Chris Hill remind us that intimacy is its own kind of rebellion.

    Darnell and Chris are the kind of people you talk to and feel like you’ve known them for years. After two conversations, I’ve already divulged my entire life story and invited them to stay with my husband and me in Ireland. I meant it, too. It’s rare to feel that kind of genuine warmth through a computer screen, but that’s just the kind of people they are. As I reflect on our conversation, their story makes a lot of sense. As I see it, they are the product of two people growing together out of instinct.

    Photos by Chris Behroozian

    The Beginning of a Queer Love Story

    For two talented creatives who put so much intention into their work, it’s funny how incidental their relationship has been. Not without care and tenderness, but seemingly without needless anxiety. “We met on Scruff,” Chris says with a cheeky grin.

    Chris, a talented hair stylist, is a self-described “Chatty-Cathy,” and it tracks. One flash of his pearly whites and a flick of his long hair, and it’s easy to see why Darnell was so drawn to him. “It was probably like three or four attempts of me trying to get you to hang out,” Darnell says playfully. Darnell, a brilliant art director, is quieter and more reserved, yet deeply contemplative. His beard and glasses give him a professorial look, even when paired with a baseball cap. Coupled with his deep voice and thoughtful cadence, talking to him is a tonic. They complement each other perfectly. They just fit.

    Darnell Lamont and Chris Hill pictured in loungewear on their wedding day

    Related | 71 Stunning Photographs of a Gay Polyamorous Wedding in Brazil

    Chris described their first date, at a sports bar in Philly, as “easy.” Despite the first-date jitters, a combination of liquid courage and Chris’ charm got them gabbing all evening like old friends. “We had a couple of shots, and we just had the best time. […] We hung out almost every day since.”

    The Proposal That Wasn’t

    As our conversation turned to weddings, the theme of ease kept coming back. Marriage wasn’t on either of their radars. “I never really had a picturesque idea of getting married or anything like that,” says Darnell. “I think we talked about it, but it was never anything super serious or anything.”

    Circumstance Without the Pomp

    Like many queer people, a traditional marriage wasn’t something they ever expected for themselves. “It wasn’t a realistic thought, kind of growing up gay, you know? It just wasn’t really part of it,” says Chris. “Even when we started talking about marriage, we didn’t even want to do the proposal thing.” Their actual “proposal,” if you want to call it that, was an impromptu trip to the jewelry store. “We went to our favorite jewelry store, it’s called Halloween, and we were just kind of shopping around.”

    “We were there for like maybe an hour or something, and we both kind of just found rings that we loved. And then we were like, should we just do it?” I could see the excitement on their faces as they remembered this moment. I got the sense that their relationship was a constant process of discovery, filled with little moments just like this one.

    Related | 67 Photos Depicting a ‘Wondraland’ of Queer Intimacy

    A Private Elopement in Los Angeles

    Originally, the couple toyed with the idea of a black-tie affair. Something gay and grand. “I think just naturally, when you get engaged, the kind of hype of it felt like we needed to do something grand, and then we were like, we actually don’t really want any part of that.”

    Letting Go of the Big Wedding Pressure

    Instead, they gave themselves time, two full years in fact. And in that time, they let the idea of a big wedding fade. What emerged was something much closer to the truth: a private, deeply intentional celebration. It’s not an easy decision to make. Anyone who has planned a wedding can tell you that sooner or later, the expectations of friends, parents, in-laws, and family friends start to weigh on you. Before you know it, the whole affair can quickly spiral out of your control.

    This was something Chris and Darnell were very intentional about. “We kind of just kept our plans to ourselves, and that helped us just be really clear about what we wanted.”

    An Intimate Wedding Day in LA

    The night before they tied the knot, Darnell and Chris checked themselves into Chateau Marmont. Perched above Sunset Boulevard, this century-old Gothic Revival building is like something out of a fairy tale. Chic, storied, and effortlessly romantic, I can’t think of a more perfect setting for these two. “It’s such a magical place,” says Chris. The rest of their stay sounds like a dream. They ordered room service, went down to the pool, took a little dip, and sat in the sun. While most people are panicking about the weather and writing last-minute table-seating labels (yours truly), Darnell and Chris were soaking in the entire thing. “It truly felt like a staycation because it was like something we were doing that no one else knew,” says Chris.

    A Wedding Ceremony Without the Spectacle

    There is also actual wedding business to attend to here. The couple, of course, had to go through the legal motions, and they wanted to document everything along the way. “The photos were really the most important part, just so we can have [them] as a keepsake,” says Chris. They met their photographer, Chris Behroozian, a few times before for a vibe check. “We just wanted to feel really chill with them,” says Chris. “Especially getting your photo taken for hours is kind of a vulnerable experience.” Not to mention, Chris Behroozian’s work is intimate, timeless, and somewhat cinematic; the ideal complement to both the couple and the setting.

    Capturing the Day with Intention

    Given how stunning and editorial the photos look, I had to ask them how they achieved it. “We really did a lot of work in the preparation so that on the day, we weren’t micromanaging anyone, you know?” says Chris. “It felt so easy because [Darnell] and the photographer had done so much back and forth to prepare. So on the day it was decisive, it was clean, it was respectful.” It can’t hurt if one of you is an art director.

    After their photos were taken in the morning, the couple headed to the courthouse. According to them, it was quick and easy. “We loved our judge. She was so cute and sweet.” They even had their photographer as their witness. Two birds with one stone.

    FaceTime, Dive Bars, and Two Dinners

    Once they finished up at the courthouse, it was over to West Hollywood for some photos and shots at a dive bar. There, they gave their family a quick heads up to answer the phone when they call, and they broke the good news over FaceTime. If there was one thing that made them reconsider eloping, it was not having family there. I reminded them that there will be plenty of opportunities to do exactly that in the future—who says you even need an excuse?

    When you’ve broken the conventions, you get to do things like planning two dinners instead of one. And that’s exactly what they did. First, they had dinner at Horses in West Hollywood, where they hung out and did some people watching. Then they headed back to their hotel for a second dinner. “That was really sweet because when we got to the table, friends and family had sent us bottles to the table.”

    They even got a celebratory welcome. An older couple sitting next to them somehow got wind of their story and their arrival. “They freaked out when we got to the table,” says Chris. “It was so cute. They were screaming and clapping.” This was the point when the emotions of the day began to set in. Seeing their families, getting that welcome, and then processing it together sounds like the kind of shared, intimate experience that fuels a marriage. After dinner, the couple had cake in their hotel room, took some Polaroids, and watched cable TV, which is one of their favorite things to do together.

    This sort of low-key experience certainly isn’t for everyone, but I can’t help but wonder how many people would choose this if it felt more accessible to them. Without the external burdens of familial and societal expectations, weddings can be like a secret shared between lovers. Something that belongs to just the two of you.

    10 Years After Obergefell

    It’s not lost on me that my conversation with Darnell and Chris is occurring almost exactly 10 years after the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015. Nor is it lost on Darnell and Chris that the current political landscape has us wondering just how safe our right to marry is. “The political climate definitely informed our sense of urgency,” says Chris. “In November, with the new administration, […] we felt pretty vulnerable.”

    The Political Reality of Queer Marriage in 2025

    No queer couple needs the government to validate their relationship, but the rights afforded to those who marry are deeply impactful. Regardless, no matter what happens, Darnell and Chris’ relationship is built on something stronger. If they did see their rights roll back, “it would be a sad thing, but it wouldn’t break us,” says Chris.

    So, 10 years after Obergefell, perhaps it’s time that some of us reexamine our relationship with weddings and marriage in general. Ask yourself, how can they best serve your needs as a family, rather than falling into the same conveyor belt as everyone else? While certainly not for everyone, Chris and Darnell chose to skip the spectacle and, in doing so, they found something far more personal.

    Life After the Ceremony

    True to form, the couple says they are looking for some consistency for a while. “We’ve been in Los Angeles now for six years, and it’s just feeling like we can breathe a little bit.” According to Darnell, they’re in their nesting period.

    Photos by Chris Behroozian

    Marriage as Intention

    Now that they’re married, I couldn’t help but wonder if life feels different for Darnell and Chris. In many ways, this is a natural continuation of their story, but in others, this has made them feel more solid as a couple. “I feel like we’re quicker to say sorry,” says Darnell. “You’re more intentional about each other’s feelings […] because you plan to spend a lifetime together, you know?”

    My mother-in-law likes to tell me, “What’s meant for you will come easily.” It always struck me as a platitude you tell yourself when you lose something you worked hard for. Perhaps I would amend the statement just a bit: “What’s meant for you will come naturally.” With a little intention and a dash of preparation, it might even come together with relative ease. When I look at relationships like Darnell and Chris’, I am reminded of how many great things can — and should — come easily.

    Things like love. Intimacy. And watching cable TV with your husband.

    Keep scrolling for more stunning shots of Darnell and Chris’ special day.

  • Queer Art That Sparked a Revolution: A Celebration of Radical Expression

    Queer Art That Sparked a Revolution: A Celebration of Radical Expression

    Queer art has never been just about aesthetics, it’s protest, it’s love, it’s fury, and it’s legacy. Across decades and disciplines, queer creators have made bold statements through performance, music, visual art, and stage, often at great personal cost. These works not only transformed culture but also carved out space for LGBTQ+ people to be seen, heard, and remembered.

    Below, we highlight some of the most potent and pivotal queer art performances, each one a milestone in a timeline of resistance, visibility, and unapologetic expression.

    Punk, Prayer, and Prison: Pussy Riot’s Sacred Rebellion

    When Russian punk collective Pussy Riot stormed Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior in 2012 for a guerrilla protest, it was over in minutes. But the global conversation it ignited lasted years. Their performance-turned-music-video “Punk Prayer – Mother of God, Chase Putin Away!” condemned both Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime and the Orthodox Church’s complicity.

    Arrested and charged with “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred,” three members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, were thrown into a heavily publicized trial. The subsequent 2013 HBO documentary Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer spotlighted the absurdity of the state’s crackdown and became an instant rallying cry for artists, feminists, and LGBTQ+ advocates worldwide.

    From Madonna to Amnesty International, support poured in. Yet in Russia, public opinion remained divided. As the band’s name surged across headlines, it served as a reminder: punk can still shake the church, and the state.

    Sinéad O’Connor’s Tear Heard Around the World

    Before #MeToo and well before the Catholic Church’s abuse scandals were widely acknowledged, Irish musician Sinéad O’Connor pulled no punches. On Saturday Night Live in 1992, she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II and declared, “Fight the real enemy.”

    The backlash was swift and ruthless. From celebrities to religious groups, condemnation rained down. But O’Connor stood by her act, revealing that her protest was personal, she had been a victim of abuse, and the Church, she believed, enabled it.

    Years later, after her 2023 passing, many revisited the moment with fresh eyes. Time even retroactively honored her as the most influential woman of 1992. Her protest wasn’t a publicity stunt, it was prophecy.

    @consequence

    R.I.P Sinéad O’Connor, who never held back from speaking her truth. 🕊️ #sineadoconnor #snl

    ♬ original sound – consequence

    Art on the Edge: John S. Boskovich’s Electric Fan (Feel It Motherfuckers)

    When artist John S. Boskovich lost his partner Stephen Earabino to AIDS, he also lost nearly every trace of their shared life. Earabino’s family cleared out their apartment, erasing their relationship, except for a single object: an electric fan.

    Boskovich transformed that object into art. Encased in Plexiglas and marked with the phrase, “Only unclaimed item from the Stephen Earabino estate,” the piece slices through grief, rage, and queer erasure. With air flowing through holes in the glass, the fan still hums with life, a stark metaphor for memory that refuses to disappear.

    Lipstick and Labor Strikes: The Cockettes’ Elevator Girls in Bondage

    San Francisco’s glitter-drenched drag troupe The Cockettes brought psychedelic camp to new heights in the ‘70s. But their avant-garde film Elevator Girls in Bondage was more than a spectacle, it was satire with teeth.

    Framed as a low-budget protest, the film tells the story of underpaid hotel elevator girls who go on strike. The result is a technicolor fever dream of anti-capitalist, pro-queer performance art.

    From Hibiscus to Sylvester, The Cockettes birthed a generation of gender-fabulous icons. Their work continues to influence drag, theater, and the joyful chaos of queer resistance.

    Footage from 'Elevator Girls in Bondage'
    Photo: David Wise

    Footage from 'Elevator Girls in Bondage'
    Photo: David Wise

    Kate Nash vs. TERF Island

    British singer-songwriter Kate Nash doesn’t just sing about heartbreak, she takes aim at hate. In her track “GERM,” released in response to U.K. transphobic policies and rhetoric, Nash dismantles trans-exclusionary feminism with a blend of biting lyrics and bulletproof facts.

    Originally drafted as an essay, the song became a musical manifesto against J.K. Rowling’s public crusade against trans rights. Nash isn’t subtle: she calls Rowling out by name and dubs her ideology “a load of bollocks.”

    As far as feminist anthems go, “GERM” feels like a necessary cleanse for a movement long overdue for intersectional accountability.

    @katenashyeah

    GERM performed live at Mighty Hoopla festival! #katenash #transrights🏳️‍⚧️ #songofthesummer #viral #livemusic #pride2025🏳️‍🌈 shot by Jude Harrison

    ♬ GERM – I Feel No Threat – Kate Nash

    Keith Haring’s Unfinished Painting: Silence and Survival

    Few images capture the loss of a generation quite like Keith Haring’s Unfinished Painting. A white canvas, three-fourths blank, features just a flash of Haring’s iconic doodled figures in one corner. The rest is hauntingly untouched.

    Created in 1989, the piece was among Haring’s last before his 1990 death from AIDS-related complications. The drips and smears that bleed from the finished section seem to mourn what could have been, had AIDS not stolen so many voices too soon.

    It’s not just a painting, it’s a eulogy.

    Keith Haring, Unfinished Painting (1989). Photo: © Keith Haring Foundation
    Keith Haring, Unfinished Painting (1989). Photo: © Keith Haring Foundation

    Jane Chambers’ Last Summer at Bluefish Cove

    In a time when lesbians were either jokes or tragedies on stage, playwright Jane Chambers did something radical: she wrote them as real people. Her 1980 play Last Summer at Bluefish Cove was the first American work to portray lesbian relationships with depth, humor, and humanity.

    Set in a women-only beach retreat, the story explores love, grief, and friendship through a lens that was, at the time, unthinkably tender. Revived across decades, Chambers’ work remains a touchstone for queer theater and representation.

    Last Summer at Bluefish Cove Production
    Photo: Last Summer at Bluefish Cove Production

    Last Summer at Bluefish Cove Production
    Photo: Last Summer at Bluefish Cove Production

    Last Summer at Bluefish Cove Production
    Photo: Last Summer at Bluefish Cove Production

    Kissing Isn’t the Problem

    In the late ’80s and early ’90s, as AIDS hysteria gripped the nation, artist collective Gran Fury launched a media-savvy art action that was impossible to ignore. Their “Kissing Doesn’t Kill: Greed and Indifference Do” campaign plastered cities with images of interracial, same-sex couples kissing, styled to look like ads from major fashion labels.

    Beneath the glamour, the message was clear: the real killer wasn’t intimacy, but apathy. The art doubled as activism, turning billboards and bus ads into battlegrounds for awareness and accountability.

    Gran Fury's 'Kissing Doesn't Kill' Campaign
    Photo: Gran Fury

    Loie Fuller: The Original Light Show

    Before Beyoncé twirled under lasers or Lady Gaga donned projection dresses, there was Loie Fuller. The late 19th-century dance pioneer fused fabric, light, and movement into her signature Serpentine Dance, dazzling audiences in France and beyond.

    Working alongside her partner Gabrielle Bloch, Fuller created mesmerizing visual effects and pioneered stage lighting techniques that are still used today. Queer, collaborative, and unabashedly experimental, her work paved the way for generations of performance artists to come.

    Loie Fuller in her gown equipped with concealed rods to allow her to wield a pair of enormous wings, 1901
    Loie Fuller in her gown equipped with concealed rods to allow her to wield a pair of enormous wings, 1901. Photo: Internet Archive

    Loie Fuller photographed by Isaiah West Taber, 1897
    Loie Fuller photographed by Isaiah West Taber, 1897. Photo: Internet Archive

    Queer Icons in Ink: Lesley Gore and Liz Smith

    Sometimes activism looks like a handwritten letter. In an affectionate note from queer gossip columnist Liz Smith to singer Lesley Gore, the two share thoughts on a film and sign off with love and laughter.

    Gore, known for feminist anthem “You Don’t Own Me,” came out publicly in 2005, though she had spent decades in a devoted partnership with Lois Sasson. Together, they championed LGBTQ+ visibility and women’s rights, quietly but powerfully.

    Letter to Lesley Gore from Liz Smith, c.1996.
    Letter to Lesley Gore from Liz Smith, c.1996. Photo: New York Public Library

  • Eye-Catching 10ft Art Installation Celebrates Transgender, Queer, Intersex & Asexual Lives In New Philadelphia Installation

    Eye-Catching 10ft Art Installation Celebrates Transgender, Queer, Intersex & Asexual Lives In New Philadelphia Installation

    In celebration of Pride Month, Visit Philadelphia has unveiled In Plain Sight, a striking 10-foot sculpture on display at Cherry Street Pier throughout June. Created to honor the Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (TQ+) members of the LGBTQ+ community, the rainbow-infused installation is more than just a photo op, it’s a powerful message of visibility, inclusion, and love in the face of rising political scrutiny.

    Philadelphia unveiled ‘In Plain Sight,’ a 10-foot Pride sculpture honoring the TQ+ community. See it at Cherry Street Pier through June or host it forever.
    Photo: Visit Philadelphia

    A Monument to Visibility

    At a time when LGBTQ+ rights, especially those of trans and gender-diverse individuals, are increasingly under fire nationwide, In Plain Sight stands tall as a vivid symbol of support. From afar, its colorful design is hard to miss. But up close, every groove, hue and angle tells a deeper story about intersectionality, identity, and resilience.

    Commissioned by Visit Philadelphia, the sculpture was developed in partnership with local artists, including arts consultant Bill Adair, creative agency A&G, and the fabrication studio Outshaped. The result? A 250-pound visual love letter to some of the community’s most underrepresented voices.

    It’s Giving: Representation

    The sculpture features the bold colors of various pride flags:

    • Transgender: Light blue, pink and white

    • Queer: The full rainbow (classic red through violet)

    • Intersex & Asexual: Yellow, purple, black and white

    • Progress Pride: Black and brown stripes to honor LGBTQ+ people of color and other marginalized groups

    Deep carved grooves run across the surface, symbolizing layered identities and lived experiences. The design is as intentional as it is Insta-worthy.

    “This sculpture is a visible reminder of Philadelphia’s commitment to being a welcoming place for all,” said Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. “Representation matters, and LGBTQ+ travelers notice that. They want to feel seen, affirmed, and celebrated.”

    Philly’s Queer Legacy Runs Deep

    This isn’t Philadelphia’s first time putting its glitter where its mouth is.

    The city’s LGBTQ+ roots stretch back to the “Annual Reminder” protests outside Independence Hall in the 1960s, one of the earliest organized gay rights demonstrations in the U.S. Fast-forward to 2004, and Visit Philadelphia launched the country’s first-ever LGBTQ-specific tourism TV ad. Just last year, the city made headlines by helping the Philadelphia Gay News earn a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest drag story time.

    And in 2025? It’s a 10-foot love letter to LGBTQ+ folks.

    Permanent Home Wanted… Is That You?

    After its June residency on the Delaware River Waterfront, In Plain Sight will need a new home. Visit Philadelphia is now accepting proposals from businesses, museums, and community groups that want to host the sculpture permanently. Think your venue has what it takes to keep the LBGTQ+ celebration going year-round? Submissions are open through June 23.

    Philadelphia unveiled ‘In Plain Sight,’ a 10-foot Pride sculpture honoring the TQ+ community. See it at Cherry Street Pier through June or host it forever.
    Photo: Visit Philadelphia

    “We’re honored to be part of its journey,” said Joseph Forkin, president of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. “Cherry Street Pier is a hub of creativity and diversity — the perfect launchpad for a sculpture with such an important message.”

    The Power of the Pink Dollar

    This isn’t just about art, it’s smart tourism, too. LGBTQ+ travelers represent a market with an estimated $1.4 trillion in purchasing power, and they travel more frequently and spend more per trip than non-LGBTQ+ tourists.

    According to Community Marketing & Insights, 63% of LGBTQ+ travelers already view Philly as a welcoming destination. Visit Philadelphia is currently running a bold Pride-themed advertising campaign in New York City, including placements during the Tonys and NYC Pride, expected to reach over 4.7 million impressions.

    Because when you show up for the LGBTQ+ community, they show up for you. Learn more or submit a proposal to host In Plain Sight at: visitphilly.com/inplainsight

  • Paul Freeman’s ‘Backwoods’: An Evocative Tribute to Raw Masculinity

    Paul Freeman’s ‘Backwoods’: An Evocative Tribute to Raw Masculinity

    There’s something about remote landscapes—the dense, untouched forests, rugged hillsides, and vast, open skies—that evokes a profound sense of freedom and self-reliance. In his captivating new book, Backwoods, acclaimed photographer Paul Freeman transports us to these evocative settings, capturing men in their most authentic and primal state.

    Two Decades of Artistic Excellence

    Celebrating 20 years since his debut in male photography, Freeman has consistently delivered groundbreaking work, documenting the male form with elegance, honesty, and raw intensity. With Backwoods, Freeman presents a collection that embodies the timeless allure of rugged masculinity set against breathtakingly raw landscapes across upstate New York, rural Australia, and isolated areas of the American West.

    Paul Freeman

    Over the past year, Freeman journeyed into new and familiar territories, blending striking new images with carefully selected archival shots. The resulting visual tapestry reveals a deep, unvarnished beauty that resonates on a primal level.

    The Essence of the Backwoodsman

    Backwoods encapsulates the essence of the self-reliant man—individuals shaped by their environment, accustomed to solitude, and comfortable in their rugged surroundings. Freeman’s portraits communicate this effortlessly; each subject exudes strength, resilience, and an innate connection to nature. His photography reveals not just muscularity, but vulnerability and humanity hidden beneath hardened exteriors.

    Paul Freeman

    Exploring New Terrain

    One particularly exciting chapter in Backwoods was shot amid the lush, verdant hills of upstate New York, made possible through the generosity of a patron who opened their private estate to Freeman’s creative vision. These surroundings provided an extraordinary backdrop for capturing a unique blend of rustic charm and natural sensuality. Freeman’s photographs from this location exude a pastoral tranquility infused with raw masculine energy.

    Paul Freeman

    Tom’s Enduring Appeal

    A captivating aspect of Backwoods is the inclusion of Tom, a fan favorite from Freeman’s 2009 collection, Outback Currawong Creek. Having returned specifically for Freeman’s 20th-anniversary projects, Tom embodies both the ruggedness and warmth of Freeman’s artistic vision. His presence in both Garage and Backwoods underscores the versatility and depth of Freeman’s photography.

    Paul Freeman

    Rich Visual Storytelling

    Freeman masterfully incorporates previously unpublished images from his archives, seamlessly integrating them with recent shoots. The narrative crafted by these photographs evokes feelings of solitude, reflection, and quiet strength. Every picture tells a deeper story, inviting viewers to imagine the lives and inner thoughts of these rugged individuals.

    Paul Freeman

    Premium Quality Craftsmanship

    In collaboration with Italy’s esteemed Longo Media, Backwoods is produced to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Each 160-page hardcover book features rich, matte-coated art stock, creating an enduring collector’s item that beautifully captures Freeman’s artistic vision.

    Paul Freeman

    Support Paul Freeman’s Kickstarter Campaign

    To celebrate this significant anniversary, Freeman is launching a special Kickstarter campaign offering exclusive access to discounted, personalized advance copies of Backwoods. Backers have a unique opportunity to support Freeman’s commitment to male nude photography, ensuring its place as a recognized and respected art form.

    Paul Freeman

    Be Part of the Legacy

    Freeman’s Backwoods represents more than photography; it is a testament to the timelessness of masculinity and the inherent beauty found in authenticity. By supporting his Kickstarter campaign, collectors play a direct role in preserving this artistic tradition, guaranteeing that future generations can continue to appreciate the unfiltered portrayal of male beauty.

    Paul Freeman

    Celebrate Paul Freeman’s 20-year milestone by securing your exclusive copy of Backwoods through the Kickstarter campaign today. For more information and Freeman’s complete collection, visit his website.

    Paul Freeman
  • Paul Freeman’s ‘Garage’: A Provocative Exploration of Masculinity and Machinery

    Paul Freeman’s ‘Garage’: A Provocative Exploration of Masculinity and Machinery

    There’s something irresistibly evocative about a garage. The scent of motor oil and gasoline, the rugged tools strewn across workbenches, the quiet intensity of mechanics absorbed in their craft—all of these elements combine to create a uniquely masculine atmosphere. Photographer Paul Freeman masterfully captures this spirit in his latest book, Garage, a stunning tribute to masculinity, machinery, and the beauty of the male form.

    Paul Freeman’s ‘Vagabondo’ Captures Raw and Rugged Male Beauty by Rainbow Media Co.

    Journeys through adversity: Paul Freeman’s ‘Vagabondo’ — a photographic ode to male beauty and resilience.

    Read on Substack

     

    Celebrating 20 Years of Photography

    Marking two decades since his first self-published book, Freeman has built an international reputation for his portrayal of rugged, natural masculinity. His extensive career has encompassed numerous iconic photography books, including classics like Bondi Classic, Outback, and Larrikin. Now, he returns with Garage, a carefully curated collection that takes readers on a sensory journey through grease-stained workshops, classic car garages, and quiet spaces filled with the hum of machinery.

    Paul Freeman

    Freeman’s journey has been rich with artistic exploration and human connection. Over the past 18 months alone, he has revisited beloved locations and discovered exciting new spaces across Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London, Miami, and rural Australia. Each garage he captures is distinct, yet all share an unmistakably gritty charm.

    Paul Freeman

    The Sensuality of Craftsmanship

    In Garage, Freeman uses his camera to transform everyday scenes into moments of breathtaking sensuality. The mechanics featured in his work are both tough and tender—men completely at ease amid the tools and machines that surround them. Freeman’s skill lies in his ability to capture authentic vulnerability and strength, allowing the viewer to appreciate every muscle, tattoo, and subtle expression of the men who embody the spirit of their environments.

    Paul Freeman

    His approach to photography celebrates the unassuming sensuality hidden within practical, work-driven spaces. He masterfully portrays mechanics not just as craftsmen, but as artists—men whose hands tell stories, whose bodies speak of labor and resilience, whose eyes hint at deeper narratives beneath their rugged exteriors.

    Paul Freeman

    Spotlight on Tom: A Return to the Lens

    An especially poignant highlight of Garage is the return of Tom, who was last featured in Freeman’s 2009 book, Outback Currawong Creek. Tom isn’t your typical professional model; he’s an authentic representation of working-class masculinity, possessing real-world experience in trades and outdoor pursuits.

    Paul Freeman

    For Freeman’s 20th anniversary, Tom returned to the camera with renewed physicality and a rugged charisma honed by genuine experience. His presence lends a unique depth to the collection, seamlessly portraying the rugged country mechanic—complete with oil-stained hands and a confident gaze. Tom’s return symbolizes both continuity and evolution in Freeman’s body of work.

    Paul Freeman

    A Blend of Fresh and Archival Imagery

    Freeman didn’t just rely on new shoots; he enriched Garage by revisiting his vast archive. He masterfully interweaves previously unpublished photographs into the narrative, giving the book a sense of timelessness. Each page reveals images both fresh and familiar, creating a layered experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

    Paul Freeman

    Exquisite Production Quality

    As always, Freeman’s attention to production quality is impeccable. Produced by the acclaimed Italian company Longo Media, Garage boasts luxurious large-format pages, durable hardcover binding, and flawless printing. Each book measures 13×10 inches and is wrapped in a premium coated and laminated dust jacket, protecting this artistic keepsake for years to come.

    Paul Freeman

    Exclusive Kickstarter Campaign

    In celebration of his 20-year milestone, Freeman launched a Kickstarter campaign to offer exclusive access to limited-edition, personalized, advance copies of Garage. Supporters who join the campaign will secure their copies at special discounted rates, making this a unique opportunity to own a piece of contemporary erotic art history.

    Paul Freeman

    Supporting the Artistry of the Male Form

    Freeman’s Kickstarter is more than just a campaign—it’s an opportunity to participate in the ongoing celebration and preservation of male nude photography as a respected art form. By supporting this campaign, collectors help ensure the continued production of beautiful, boundary-pushing photography books.

    Paul Freeman

    Be part of Paul Freeman’s artistic journey. Visit his Kickstarter page to secure your exclusive copy of Garage. For additional information and to explore Freeman’s extensive collection, visit his website.