June 2: Pride Month

The ancient Greeks had no hierarchy concerning love, but they did like some chronology where possible. For everything, there must have been a first time, and the myth of origin for gay love, was about the Thracian musician Thamyris. He became enamoured with the radiant Hyakinthos, but it wasn’t reciprocated, because the competition was the god Apollo himself. Thamyris was no match for Apollo’s charm, wit or talent, but it didn’t stop him from trying. Hoping to impress, he even challenged the muses to a singing contest. And in his arrogance, he went so far as to claim as his prize a night with every single one of them. Don’t ask me why, as everyone knew he wasn’t even interested in women. Anyway, his attempt failed miserably, and Hyakinthos joined Apollo in mocking him. The muses weren’t amused at all, and took away his musical talent – or blinded him, depending on which version of mythology you choose to believe. But on this, all versions agree: Thamyris was the first male to have loved another male.

Thamyirs and the Muses, Hydria, Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York, USA

Young Apollo teaches Hyacinthus, Louis de Boullogne, Château de Versailles, France