@luriddigs
Here's the thing: if you were around in the early aughts (AOL chatrooms, Gay.com, noisy modems), you knew about Lurid Digs. Or at least you had seen some of the images that populated that website. It was at the beginning of the explosion of amateur pornography that took the Internet by storm during those days.
Self-shot porn was popping everywhere. I think it took off before the big studios took notice of what was going online. People jumped from DVDs into online images in a New York minute. Lurid Digs was much more than just snarky comments and funny statements. It was also a symptom of an agency that had not been seen before in erotica: people were producing their own porn. It was no longer the property of a studio of certain people: porn had gone popular.
Lurid Digs was both an exposé and a celebration of overworked libidos and unchecked sex drives. The men appearing in its pages were caught in all their naked glory and the decor around them was as important as their boners.
By speculating both on the choices people made about their interior decoration styles and the obviously sexual nature of the photos, the site gave the gawkers a chance to humanize the subjects of their lust while at the same time de-stigmatizing the fact that people liked to take pictures of themselves nude. I think it was a great idea mixing humor and sex. It's the perfect combo.
Sadly, the site is not on Twitter anymore. And there's nothing left of the old site. They were on Tumblr for awhile but you know they sanitized it and now it's just a husk of what it used to be. They are in Bluesky now. But I understand you need an invite to create an account there?
So, sadly we may not have access to Lurid Digs on Twitter anymore. There's still tons of pics on Twitter, though. An online repository of all things fun and sexy. It was a way for men to find their niche in what concerned self-expression (at at time when very few men were willing to objectify themselves and others) and runaway mojo. And bad decor decisions.
XOXO
Big says,
ReplyDeleteWell, I sure remember noisy modems but didn't know about this. Sure wish I had because I love the snark! LOL.
Happy Friday!
XOXO
OMG
DeleteThe snark was off the charts! People wrote the funniest things about those digs! It was a riot.
XOXO
The early does were an adventure, but I, too, never heard about this.
ReplyDeleteOh, it was everywhere.
DeleteI used to go to the very risqué pages (CollegeBoys 24/7 was one) and an early version of Chaturbate. They would always post something from Lurid Digs.
XOXO
I'd never heard of Lurid Digs but these are, um, stunning?
ReplyDeletexoxo
OMG
DeleteYou have NO IDEA! There were shag carpets, California King water beds, sheets for curtains and lots and lots of terribly stained bathroom mirrors. Not to mention children toys on the floor and graduation photos on the walls.
The works.
XOXO
Too funny!
ReplyDeleteA riot.
DeleteOMG the things these men photographed for posterity!!
XOXO
The only thing I can add is when this started and self- made porn started I was highly appalled by how people lived. I wanted to say many times... dudes clean your freaking rooms up before you take a picture!! And Windex that damn mirror off!
ReplyDeleteSAME!
DeleteThe straights were the ones in more dire need of a maid. SERIOUSLY!!!
The socks, the sheets on the floor. The mattresses on bricks, the dirty dishes!!
XOXO
HuntleyBiGuy:
ReplyDeleteI love the snark. I think I vaguely remember seeing them on Tumblr. I have to handle it to them having the balls to post in the first place.
XOXO 👨🏼❤️💋👨🏽
Yes!
DeleteThey were on Tumblr for the longest time! Until the big cleanup threw us out.
They were the proto-Just-for-Fans.
XOXO
Gawd damn, child. Every day, I check on this site to see what you've come up with and you always f*cking knock it out of the park! What's this, then? Say what? You astound me... and educate me... and you're damn brilliant. Thanks for sharing this. Never heard of it.... think it's amazing. And thanks to you, now I know about it. KIZZES of the highest caliber. Thinking now, I need to come to Chicago and take you to lunch with cocktails. You'll probably hate the sight of me... but damn, I want to shake your hand, mate. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha
DeleteOh, Upton. You're too sweet.
I have just been on the internet for way too long!!
And all you have to tell me is WHEN you're coming to Chi!!
XOXO
you are becoming the chronicler of all things gay of yore. and that make me glad to consider you among my friends...being one of those gay things of yore myself.
ReplyDeleteHahaha
DeleteI am! And that's very sweet, Jon! You'll never be a thing of yore. Gay? Yes.
XOXO
Now I'm following this lurid guy on twitter. (I can't call X). I feel myself so lurid like a pig!
ReplyDelete