Topless Somali Biker, Redux

I’m often fascinated by the ways images are altered as they get put to various different uses. So I was delighted when reader Lena commented on this topless Somali motorcyclist advertising card by posting a link to a version of the photograph that was the source material for it. That link, plus a bit of image searching for larger versions, gives us this:

Lesbian Asterisk Pussy?

Once or twice before I’ve gotten inbound links from the very hip and very cool Autostraddle, which describes itself as “an intelligent, hilarious & provocative voice and a progressive online community for a new generation of kickass lesbian, bisexual & otherwise inclined ladies.”

I tend to take links from sources like this as a sort of “mission accomplished” compliment. Yes, I’m a straight guy who blogs mostly male-gaze porn with male-gaze commentary. Does that mean I have to be creepy and boys-only about it? I’ve never thought so.

But I’ve got to say, this particular inbound link had some curiously prudish and distancing anchor text that’s got me scratching my head.

The post in question was this one, and contained this line:

THIS is how they used to take a photograph of a pussy. (Emphasis and link in original.)

When they linked this post at Autostraddle, here’s the line of anchor text they used:

“This is how they used to have to take a picture of a p*ssy”

Notice what’s different?

First of all, they added the phrase “have to”. Like there was something repugnant about that perfectly delicious pussy. WTF?

And then, they asterisked the spelling of “pussy”. Again, WTF?

I’m not complaining — I’m happy for the link and the attention. But a site like that’s the last place I would expect to be pussy-squeamish. Maybe there’s another explanation I’m not getting?

Update: Riese from Autostraddle explains.

The Lost Past

And speaking, as I just was, of how things were done before the invention of the internet:

THIS is how they used to take a photograph of a pussy:

I’m not saying it was better, exactly. I’m not one of those living-in-the-past “in my day, sonny” people, oh no. Far be it from me to denigrate the dramatic progress of the pornographic arts and sciences.

But it sure was different.

Sonny, you know what they used to call a picture like that? “Split beaver”, I shit you not. I don’t miss that one little bit. Pornographic rodent metaphors, happily, are as dead as 8-track players.

“Is $40 Enough?”

This is a real photograph, taken at the Salt Lake City Airport, by photographer Trent Head:

I can think of no further commentary that would enhance it.

Similar Sex Blogging:

• When The TSA Actually Touches Your Junk
• Indecent Exposure In Jail
• "Lift Your Penis For Me Please"
• Flying Naked Is Fun

Fierce Beauty

I don’t think she’s contemplating violence upon the photographer, but you’ve got to admit she looks a little fierce:

Another alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.vintage find. (I believe what looks like a wounded arm is actually damage to the photograph.)