Lots of friends have fun and take photos like this. I have photos with friends where we look at each other like this. One could be more masculine or dominant and they're in love. They might also be playing dress up and having fun. Who knows unless someone has documented history here.

I'm just saying that while I usually love the "they were just roommates" mockery and acknowledging clearly LGBTQIA+ situations overlooked in history, I also feel like assuming it's always a gay situation is potentially as bad. Forcing a narrative rather than saying we aren't sure.

I appreciate OP saying "potentially."

[–] Maxx0r@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

You are right. But.

This specific posing style (cross-dressing and looking at eachother in the manner of married couples) has a known role in queer history, many similar photos exists of known queer couples.

And in many cases, these photos would be dangerous to produce and own. In many places illegal, in most places frowned upon. And since a photo like this was expensive and planning was necessary, their playing with the camera would need to be advanced. So, to create a photo like this involved dedication and risk taking.

But you are right, without actual letters or such, we cannot know. It is not a completely random assumption that they are in a relationship, though.

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