Photo: Yigal Mann/Pix/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Heartwarming Photos Of Same Sex Couples Throughout History

Updated April 28, 2020 65.0K votes 6.8K voters 225.0K views

Voting Rules

Vote up the photos that really pull your heartstrings.

One may assume that, up until the late 20th century, all same-sex couples only showed each other love and affection behind closed doors, but this isn't necessarily the case, as these historic portraits of homosexual partners will attest. Whether depicting unknown individuals, or famous gay and lesbian couples from decades past, these intimate images show that not all members of the LGBTQ+ community remained hidden in times when acceptance wasn't nearly as widespread as it is now. Moreover, the love and affection on display in these images are enough to bring a smile to even the most hardened of hearts.

1. Miss M. R. Griffith And Miss M. H. Crutcher, Unknown Year
Photo: Miami University Libraries / Flickr / No known copyright restrictions
3,731 votes
2. Cuddling For The Camera, 1875
Photo: Unknown / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
3,353 votes
3. An Affectionate Couple In A Field, Unknown Year
Photo: oakenroad / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
3,070 votes
4. A Tender Moment At A Gay Pride Festival In London, 1996
Photo: Steve Eason/Stringer / Hulton Archive/Getty Images
3,164 votes
5. Marcela Gracia Ibeas And Elisa Sánchez Loriga, The First Same Sex Couple To Wed In Spain, 1901
Photo: José Sellier / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
2,889 votes
6. Preparing To Kiss, Unknown Year
Photo: simpleinsomnia / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
2,417 votes

1. Miss M. R. Griffith And Miss M. H. Crutcher, Unknown Year

2. Cuddling For The Camera, 1875

3. An Affectionate Couple In A Field, Unknown Year

4. A Tender Moment At A Gay Pride Festival In London, 1996

5. Marcela Gracia Ibeas And Elisa Sánchez Loriga, The First Same Sex Couple To Wed In Spain, 1901

6. Preparing To Kiss, Unknown Year