Motorqueer Photography

Before I started this blog I had the naive idea that it would be easy to find MotorQueer imagery. The criteria seem easy enough, homoerotic or gay-themed imagery that is also car or motorcycle-themed... Not so easy it turns out.

However, there are a couple images that we might all have seen and remembered. These are images that have been sold for years as posters or fridge magnets. They may or may not be considered art, but who cares. I've seen them in enough people's homes to know that the images have impact.

The photo on the right is called Fred with Tyres and is part of a series. It is from the late Herb Ritts, renowned fashion photographer. Remember Olivia Newton-John's Physical album cover? What about Madonna's True Blue? Both by Herb Ritts. Check out the Herb Ritts entry on Wikipedia to learn more about the role he played in shaping popular culture.

The photo on the left is titled Omigawd, Lesbians! and was taken by Sunny Bak. While not as famous as Ritts, Sunny Bak has had her hand in the music industry. The Beastie Boys video for Fight for Your Right to Party was shot in her old Manhattan studio and all the stuff in the video is hers. You will also find one of her photos on the inner cover of the License to Ill album.