Women Socializing in a House, 1950s
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This photograph was taken in the 1950s, within the home of one of the women present.
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2020-11-25T11:52:26-08:00
This photograph was taken in the 1950s, within the home of one of the women present. Descriptively titled Women Socializing in a House, it offers a private glimpse into the lives of three women enjoying a night together. The photographer is unknown - yet this is not a defect, but contributes to the effect on the viewer. One may easily envision themselves in a similar situation, perhaps even as a part of the festivities occurring here, seeing through the camera as if they were present. This is a product of a perspective that is not professional nor remotely objective, but deeply personal. The content itself is near-universal, as the trio are goofily enjoying themselves - the desire to partake in such activities has never wavered. Perhaps today this would’ve been saved in their Snapchat memories and shared with friends. There’s actually evidence that they were participating in a not-too-different practice to that; the cutting of the borders implies that this is from a personal collection, possibly a scrapbook meant to be viewed many times over. As such, this photograph is as essentially social as its cheerful content is common to the human experience. Since this image is featured in the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives adds unique and profoundly tragic undertones as well. This is an image of pure joy, but it couldn’t really be shared beyond the women's circle - at least not in a wholly truthful manner - if they hoped for some degree of acceptance in society at large. That’s a harsh reality to inhabit, yet they have found the joy we all crave. If there is tragedy in this photograph, there is hope, too.
