Gay actors of the 1950s
For many, June represents the month of pride; a period to celebrate, instruct and communicate all that is homosexual, gay and fabulous. Although today existence gay isn’t much of a deal, back in the 50’s it was a dangerous label to have. Throughout history, thousands contain lost their lives because they were labeled as ‘gay’ or ‘queer’ and many lived out their true sexual preferences in secrecy. As it’s almost the end of Pride month, I wanted to include a look at some celebrities from the golden age of Hollywood who were gay, or at least thats what the rumours said. It’s hard to know if all these celebrities, and of course many more, were truly gay, but I wanted to share a not many stories just so see how far we’ve come. Content pride everyone.
*Disclaimer: Please note that some of the following stories may depict graphic descriptions and behaviours which some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Katherine Hepburn
Iconic Hollywood actress and Academy Award-winning performer in films such as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter, and On Golden Pond, Katherine Hepburn reportedly had an insatiab
5. Stars from a Bi-Gone Era
Most of the stories that we discussed came from one guy: Scotty Bowers, a Hollywood pimp of the queer silver screen actors of the 1940s and beyond. He was also associated with Alfred Kinsey in his famous learn of human sexuality in the 1950s by providing many of the interview subjects.
A former marine, Bowers kept calm for many years about these stories, as he did not want to adversely affect the lives of any of the actors who were still around. Many of the stories were actively hushed up using fixers paid by the studios at the moment, and several of the actors were in "lavender marriages"---marriages arranged by the studio, frequently with another queer performer. At the moment, studios especially would not have wanted the queer attractions of their headlining actors to be widely known, as that would contain damaged the 'wholesome family image' of many of the films they wanted to market.
After all of the actors died, Bowers finally decided that his experiences and stories couldn't harm their image or beloved status---plus the planet was a more open place to queer attraction---so he wrote about it. His memoir, Full Service, records many of the t
When Hollywood Studios Married Off Homosexual Stars to Keep Their Sexuality a Secret
Valentino also married costume designer Natacha Rambova in 1923, at a time when his career was starting to receive off and the roles he played were seen as less typically masculine, such as in the film “Monsieur Beaucaire” in 1924. His marriage to Rambova ended in 1925, which left some speculating that the marriages of the “pink powder puff” (a nickname Valentino acquired after playing effeminate roles on screen) were coverups to keep the sex symbol’s reputation intact.
Identifying how many Hollywood couples tied the knot to cloak their sexuality is, of course problematic since it’s primarily based on speculation_._
“I think the hardest thing for a historian is to caring of sift through what the rumor [is] and what is actually factual," says Tropiano.
One commonly cited source for speculation is the memoir of Scotty Bowers, Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars. Bowers’ account details sexual encounters, lgbtq+ and straight, that he claims he both arranged and took part in, beginning in 1946.
Bowers wrote that he had been sexually involved with lead
Step back in time with us, as we search the colourful, vibrant, and oftentimes misunderstood world of the 1950s. This was a decade of significant transform, marked by the go up of the civil rights movement, the burgeoning second wave of feminism, and the early roots of LGBTQ+ activism. Throughout this tumultuous era, a handful of brave individuals stood out as queer icons, their influence still palpable today. So, let's unwrap the stories of these remarkable individuals who dared to be different, and leave their legacy of movement inspire us to persist the fight for equality.
Who were they? These were actors, writers, singers, and activists who lived their truth, often in the face of adversity. They were proud, they were bold, and they were unapologetic. They are the pioneers of the Diverse community, their stories a testament to resilience and authenticity.
Why does it matter? Their lives and works help as an important reminder that the rights and acceptance we enjoy today were hard-fought for. Thus, it's crucial to recognise and remember the trailblazers who dared to be on their terms, paving the path for many of us today.
Article continues below
So, buckle up as w