Adam Baran

The new issue of Butt Magazine is out now at your finer book selling establishments. My contribution this month is an interview with famous portrait artist Don Bachardy, who was more well-known at first for being the very young lover of pioneering gay author Christopher Isherwood, of whom I am a huge fan. Bachardy’s story is a truly remarkable one. Not only did he lead an active sexual life in Hollywood in the 50’s, of which he recounted to me in graphic, wonderful detail, he and Isherwood then led a truly courageous life as an out gay couple in Hollywood. This was all the more shocking to so-called decent Hollywood society because of their age difference - Bachardy was 18 when he first met Isherwood, who was then 49, on the beach in Santa Monica. I was incredibly intimidated to meet him, having long been an admirer of all the work he’s done to preserve Chris’ (as Bachardy calls him, so I will to) legacy, editing journals of articles about him, and insisting on the publication of Chris’ diaries unedited, as well as participating in a forthcoming documentary about their relationship, titled Chris and Don.

It’s a really unique story, and filled with juicy details about sex with Isherwood and others, so as not to disappoint Butt Readers. We also discussed his unique portraiture and the way that Chris’ influence and fame and star connections allowed him to flourish as an artist. He’s quick and sharp and doesn’t miss a trick, and his story of growing older with Isherwood and his life, both day-to-day and sexual, post-Isherwood, is really an amazing one.

Let me know what you think!