Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Behind the Aegis

(54,852 posts)
Fri Oct 4, 2019, 04:43 AM Oct 2019

The gay L-O-V-E story behind the iconic image adored around the world

Over the decades, countless straight couples continue to court, dance, even make love to the songs of Hoosier Cole Porter without knowing he was gay. But, perhaps, eclipsing Porter and every other secretly gay artist in seducing the world has been fellow Hoosier Robert Indiana’s totemic L O V E creations.

Straightwashed even unto death, few of the multiple notices of the passing last year of the Army Air Corps veteran acknowledged that his L O V E was for men, a fact readily available to any reporter caring to look – and one that should have already been specifically known by those writing about his death for myriad art sites.

Born Robert Clark in New Castle, Indiana, in 1928, he chose “Robert Indiana” as his “nom de brush” after moving to New York in 1954.

As explained by Bradford R. Collins in Pop Art, the image had two inspirations. One, a 1964 commission by art collector Larry Aldrich who was turning an abandoned Christian Science church into a museum.

more...

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The gay L-O-V-E story behind the iconic image adored around the world (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Oct 2019 OP
Thanks for interesting article. Blog has many, many more. 1 about black soldier v good bobbieinok Oct 2019 #1
I guess they didn't see the 2004 Cole Porter biopic, "De-Lovely," starring Kevin Klein & catbyte Oct 2019 #2

bobbieinok

(12,858 posts)
1. Thanks for interesting article. Blog has many, many more. 1 about black soldier v good
Fri Oct 4, 2019, 06:06 AM
Oct 2019

Had seen references to blog but never read it before.

catbyte

(35,763 posts)
2. I guess they didn't see the 2004 Cole Porter biopic, "De-Lovely," starring Kevin Klein &
Fri Oct 4, 2019, 06:47 AM
Oct 2019

Ashley Judd. Porter's sexual orientation was prominent in the love story between Porter and his wife.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»LGBT»The gay L-O-V-E story beh...