How does this photo and the description make you feel?

I have a difficult time believing these two are platonic friends. At least where I am in the US, such behavior is usually devalued. The word "effete" doesn't really mean what the writer seems to think it means. I object to the misuse of the language as much as anything else here.

 

well I don't know, it seems to fit in well with 1 and 2 of the above defination.

I would have a hard time believeing they where just friends if it was a modern photo, however the age it was taken, society probably wouldn't have jumped to teh conclusion that its sexual, that of course doesn't mean it wasn't
S

 

Being the big history buff that I am, such displays were overlooked without so much as a second glance way back when, Byron and Shelley openly exchanged tokens of affection while in relationships with ladies, and society thought them to be poetic soul mates ..nothing more....

 

thanks for clearing that up (is that who the two men in the photo are btw) how does the photo make you feel anyway?
S

 

No..Thats not the two poets. It makes me feel sad that people cannot behave in such a casual..relaxed manner anymore without society stepping in and trying to dictate what is acceptable in something so innocent !!

 

yeah as its been illustrated on this thread people have a difficult time, believeing that something like that could be platonic, do you think western society would ever get back to male to male platonic shows of effection being acceptable?
S

 

It would take a total change in what young boys are being taught , a shedding of the macho ideals that guys have to be one certain way to be REAL MEN !! I was fortunate to have a daddy that did house work and washed dishes and read stories to us kids..all the maternal things, As Well as being a verry strong man !!

 

cough, hint hint, this is actually being discussed in the T.S forum as well at the moment!!
S

 

Erzebet speaks truth. This picture made me smile, though...I have a heaping handful of straight or non-involved male friends who would think nothing of such body language in relation to each other. Perhaps it's the unusual mix of subculture among us, but it's not strange at all to see any gender/orientation combination of folks in such close quarters (or cuddling...) in our circle.

 

I don't think it looks necessarily sexual, more loving. I would never have thought that was platonic, even if an earlier time period. They look like they've been in a romantic relationship for awhile and have reached a plateau, perhaps like a couple who's been married for a few years.

 

I think the picture is sweet. The description doesn't surprise me, but I don't like it anyway.

 

In Korea, grown men hold hands all the time. Young boys do it too-- in grade five and six. It's also not uncommon to see a grown man holding hands with his elderly father. On the other hand, affectionate acts between members of the opposite sex are rarely seen in public-- unless they're young and really drunk.

This picture is really no biggie-- people really need to lighten up about this kind of thing.

 

In Peru and much of Latin America it's common for men to be openly affectionate with each other...probably 95% of 'em are straight. It's just that they care about each other and don't have any stupid, up-tight hang-ups. It's sweet as can be to see a bunch of Latin boys playing around, pawing each other and having fun. The USA really needs to start learning from other cultures, we'd all be healthier for it.

 

ever watch gymnastics comps ? guys from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union would kiss each other on the lips, nothing much just a quick peck

as for the picture, I like it and there is nothing overtly sexual about it, I believe it is just they way they were back in the day.

 

my first thought was that they are very good friends and are comfortable with each other. it didn't suggest homosexuality to me partially because of the time period. during my more formative years my friends and i could be caught in close proximity to each other, similar to the photo but not laying all over each other.

 

i see nothing "lover-ly" about this pic..

i also see nothing "effette" about two close friends hugging.... in Deaf culture, a hug between any two people is seen as a mark of friendship, close and not so close. it's a way to say "hey! i'm glad to see you", without having to sign it.. who has the authority to denie this picture that same truth? two males or even females can certainly share a hug from time to time... what really measures their sexual/non sexual relationship is what they do in privacy( we all know what i mean). am I gay? no. if any of my male friends wanted/needed a hug for whatever reason, would i say yes?, you bet your ass i would.. it's only a way to state how close the two people are, not their sexuality... sorry for the rant..lol

 

Is the shorter one wearing earings?

 

Rue Takedo seems to have a similar experience to me. I've known guys in college and high school who were always touching eachother and stuff, but weren't gay. Maybe the world is getting more OK with men displaying affection, which is cool. Personally, I'm not in any way like that, but I'm not a very warm person physically with friends, girl or boy. Maybe I should be, I dunno.

 

I might like it if they weren't so damned ugly. lol