This photo is one that I find quite intriguing. My source listed the men as (l-r) "Member," Roger Pegram, and Bill Happ at Andover in October of 1956. Member of what? Circle of friends? Some nascent gay rights group? Literary society? I really want to know more.
At a time of extreme danger being gay, the air of freedom and happiness about them is amazing to see!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is.
Delete"Member" was an old in-word meaning "he's a fellow gay", like "he's family" is today-Dee Exx
ReplyDeleteI thought it might be The Mattachine Society which was branching off into different groups at the time. Could be.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same even though I couldn't find any references to Mattachine relating to these two men.
DeletePerhaps a gay salon, where gay men would meet up at a friend’s house, have a few drinks and talk about culture and current events. Had a gay uncle who held such gatherings with his intellectual friends back in the 50’s and 60’s, it was their safe place. A few of the salons he hosted were on the wild side. At least here is a photographed record of gay life, sadly all my uncle’s belongings and his photos were thrown away by certain, disproving relatives when he died in 1980. Uncle had no will, and one of his disproving brothers got power of attorney. That vulture couldn’t wait to sell uncle’s very nice home to get the money, which in turn caused a deep rift in our family that continues to this day….:(
ReplyDeleteThe salon concept is quite believable. Your uncle's story is all too common, I'm sorry to say.
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