Roger Pegram and Frank Bushong

Way back in June, I posted a Gay Pride series that included a Thanksgiving dinner scene at the home of Rober Pegram and Frank Bushong.  That particular photo evoked the biggest viewer response ever to a gay history themed picture.  I promised a followup series and have been disgracefully tardy in getting it on, but today is the day.  Roger and Frank were a romantic couple from about 1949 to 1964, but I think they had an enduring love as they remained very close lifelong friends.We start with Frank's birthday party in June 1955.  

Everyone seems to be having a good time.

 

Nantucket, August 1955

We have quite a few photos of Roger and Frank on beach vacations.

This one is Brant Point, Nantucket in August of 1955.

 

Intriguing caption

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.

 

Frank and Fred

Here we see Frank with Fred Brahms (right), a close friend of the couple.

No date or location was given, but they're having a good time.

 

1949 Fixer-upper

Although my source did not give the location, I like to think that like many young couples, Frank and Roger bought a fixer-upper as their first home.  That's Roger working on the screen door in 1949.

 

Provincetown

Provincetown was already a gay mecca when Roger was

 photographed there at Race Point on August 28, 1953

 

Kitchen

It was January 29, 1956 when this kitchen conference took place at Frank and Roger's 

Andover home.  Frank has his back to the camera while Roger expounds on something.  

Maybe he's trying to figure out who's going to wash all the dishes.

 

Professional

The only photo listed as professionally taken in my collection of Roger Pegram and Frank Bushong images is this one of Frank presumably at a beach.  I think it is beautiful.

 

Sense of Humor

Never let it be said that these guys didn't have a sense of humor.  Frank took 

this snapshot of Roger at the Burlington, Vermont city limits on August 15, 1954.

 

Central Park

I'm closing out the series with this 1951 photo of Roger and Frank in Central Park.  It is said  to have been taken by their friend Fred Brahms who appears with them in many photos.  When I look at these pictures, I get emotional.  They lived in a world where their love could have cost them everything, yet they manifest a quite comfort and confidence when together and when with their friends.  Their love was enduring and eternal. They were fearless and blazed a trail for us to follow.  The best thing we can do to honor their memory is to keep moving forward no matter what.