Palm Springs Pride Honors John Palatinus

16th November 2011, 11:25 pm

Greater Palm Springs Pride awards honorees were chosen because they best represent this year’s Palm Springs Pride theme: Justice today, equality forever.

For one of the Lifetime Achievement Award winners at this year’s Palm Springs Pride, activism came second to his art. John Palatinus is one of the first beefcake photographers of the 1950s, photographing young, male bodybuilders, carefully posing them to conceal the models’ genitals. Palatinus was tried and convicted for conspiracy in the 1950s after the U.S. Postal authorities and the New York City Police Department broke into his home and confiscated his work.

“Maybe you might call me an accidental activist,” Palatinus said. “I just wanted to take beautiful photographs of beautiful men. I’m delighted, overwhelmed and deeply honored that they’ve chosen me. I guess I didn’t realize that many people feel that I was a pioneer….”

Photographer Palatinus signs one of his most famous images. (Courtesy John Palatinus)

Continuing his artistic work, Palatinus now travels internationally to several gallery openings hosting his work, including in Barcelona, New York, London and Buenos Aires and Palm Springs. He said they always include discussions at the local LGBT centers.

A Palm Springs resident for 14 years, Palatinus said he and his partner moved to the desert because they were eager to be a part of another gay community. “We came out here basically because we experienced a wonderful thing of what gay people can do for a town in Key West in the ’70s,” he said. “That’s an exciting time to be in a gay place,” Palatinus added. “I think gay people are responsible for reviving Palm Springs.”

Gay Dan Diego, 11/04
Palm Springs Pride Honorees highlighted
By Anthony King | GSD Editor

 
John is a member of Tom of Finland Foundation and a copy of his body of work is available for students and the public to view at TOM House in Los Angeles. Congratulations, John, on your Palm Springs Pride Lifetime Achievement Award. Thank you for sharing yourself and your Beauty.

Published: 16th November 2011

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