Photographers - Part 8

Leonard Fink

Leonard Fink (1930-1992) documented the gay scene in New York City from 1967 to 1992, including all the Gay Pride marches beginning with the first one in 1970, and street scenes and bars in the West Village.  The photo above is a self-portrait called Me and the bike, 1977.

But he is best known for his photos of the abandoned West Side (Hudson River) piers that were taken over by gay men in the 1970s and 1980s.  Above is Pier 48 in 1980, filled with men sunbathing; some clothed, some nude (click for larger view).

These piers were not just wooden platforms on pilings.  They were huge structures extending into the river where ships as big as cruise ships used to dock.  This photo is called Kenneth, 1977.  As you can see, the piers were somewhat dangerous places, falling apart, that the city had condemned.  But for the gay men of New York, the piers were places where they could hang out together and not be disturbed.

The piers were popular for nude sunbathing.  This is Andrew on Pier 48.

They were also good for cruising ...

and for quick, anonymous sex, like the guys in the background.  Note that nobody else is paying any attention to them, because it was such a common sight.

Many of Leonard Fink's photos are self-portraits, and in most of them he's naked.  Here he's exploring the Railroad Piers in 1979, wearing only shoes and socks.

I have many more of his photos, so it's possible that we'll see him again.