Hear contemporary photographers discuss works—both their own and other artists’—that have been pivotal in the history of queer photography. This audio tour is available in English and Spanish on the GettyGuide app (App Store and Google Play). Bring headphones and join GettyLink for free Wi-Fi during your visit.
Queer Lens: A History of Photography
Featured Exhibition
Gay Activists at First Gay Pride Parade, Christopher Street, New York (detail), 1970; printed 2021, Arthur Tress. Gelatin silver print. Getty Museum. Gift of David Knaus. © Arthur Tress Archive LLC
Since the mid-19th century, photography has served as a powerful tool for examining concepts of gender, sexuality, and self-expression. The immediacy and accessibility of the medium has played a transformative role in the gradual proliferation of homosocial, homoerotic, and homosexual imagery. Despite periods of severe homophobia, when many photographs depicting queer life were suppressed or destroyed, this exhibition brings together a variety of evidence to explore the medium’s profound role in shaping and affirming the vibrant tapestry of the LGBTQ+ community.
In the Queer Lens exhibition, we openly acknowledge the complex history of the word “queer” in our wall text and talk about its reclamation by the LGBTQ+ community. In this context, it is not derogatory, but a word of inclusivity and empowerment. Additionally, “Queer” is gender neutral and includes those who are left out of LGBT identifiers (such as intersex).
We use the word with intentionality, awareness, and respect.
This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Esta exhibición se presenta en inglés y en español.
Partners and Sponsors
Selected Works
Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton, aka Fanny and Stella
About 1870, Fred Spalding. Reproduced by courtesy of Essex Record Office, D/F 269/1/3712
Keith Haring and Juan Dubose, Artist; Disc jockey
1983, Andy Warhol. Dye diffusion print. Getty Museum. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.
Portrait of Josephine Baker
1925, Baron Adolf de Meyer. Collotype. Getty Museum
Gay Liberation March on Times Square
1969, Diana Davies. Gelatin silver print. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. © NYPL
Rrose Sélavy (Marcel Duchamp)
1923, Man Ray. Gelatin silver print. Getty Museum. © Man Ray Trust ARS-ADAGP
The Gay Deceiver
About 1939; printed 1950, Weegee (Arthur Fellig). Gelatin silver print. Getty Museum. © International Center of Photography
Diesel Jeans, Victory Day, 1945
1994, David LaChapelle. Chromogenic print. Getty Museum. © David LaChapelle
Neptune (Karim Boualam)
1988, Pierre et Gilles. Hand-painted photograph on canvas. Getty Museum. © Pierre et Gilles
Angela Scheirl [now A. Hans Scheirl]
1993, Catherine Opie. Silver-dye bleach print. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Helen Kornblum in honor of Roxana Marcoci. © Catherine Opie, Courtesy Regen Projects, Los Angeles, Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, London, and Seoul, and Thomas Dane Gallery, London and Naples
Mattachine Society “Sip-In” Julius’ Bar, New York, NY
1966; printed later, Fred W. McDarrah. Gelatin silver print. Getty Museum. © Fred W. McDarrah / MUUS Collection
Gay Activists at First Gay Pride Parade, Christopher Street, New York
1970; printed 2021, Arthur Tress. Gelatin silver print. Getty Museum. Gift of David Knaus. © Arthur Tress Archive LLC
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