The article discusses the author's early encounter with physique photography as a child, revealing his simultaneous excitement and confusion regarding his feelings of attraction. It highlights his clandestine viewing of magazines like Adonis and Tomorrowâs Man, which were aimed at gay men during a time when their sexuality was largely repressed. The piece underscores how these images served to ignite erotic fantasies for young boys while navigating the legal and societal restrictions of the mid-20th century on depictions of male desire and nudity.
"When I saw that physique photograph, I felt both excited and upset, captivated by the eroticism yet embarrassed by my own reactions as a child."
"The magazines like Adonis and Body Beautiful carved out a niche, catering to the fantasies of young boys by portraying male beauty that challenged societal norms."
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