“Black Brothers #2” by Sierra Domino is a notable piece in the history of African American homoerotic art, produced in 1983. Sierra Domino is a well-known name in the genre of homoerotic photography, particularly in the 1980s, a time when there was a growing interest in exploring the intersection of race, sexuality, and eroticism. The “Black Brothers” series is particularly significant as it focused on African American men, showcasing their beauty and sexuality in a way that was not often seen in mainstream erotic art of the time. The series was part of a broader movement to create and disseminate images that celebrated the bodies and sexualities of Black men, countering stereotypes and providing representation in a predominantly white space. “Black Brothers #2” features powerful, intimate, and provocative imagery of African American men, often depicted in sensual and erotic poses that highlight their physicality and masculinity. The work is not just about sexual desire but also about reclaiming and celebrating Black male identity in a society that frequently marginalized or fetishized Black bodies. The 1980s were a pivotal time for both the gay rights movement and the fight for racial equality, and works like Sierra Domino’s “Black Brothers #2” played a role in challenging norms and opening up discussions about race, sexuality, and representation. The series is remembered for its bold portrayal of Black men in homoerotic contexts, contributing to the visibility and empowerment of Black men during a crucial time in history.
Thanks for this research.
So much queer history is hidden or denied or ignored. Black queer history more so, I suppose.
The reminiscence of those times evokes my own internalised homophobia that still causes me to squirm a little even as I protest that I have released myself from shame about my sexuality.
I also squirm a bit guiltily about my own fetishisation of black men.
These images from the eighties take me back to that place in my life when furtive acquisitions of such magazines was one of the ways I quenched my thirst for erotic connections with men.
Of course it was also the time of the AIDS crisis and my fears around that further clamped me down and stopped me having fun with guys.
No regrets, here I am today, happy and exploring (when I can) the possibilities of pleasure between men.
I love men.