LGBTQ+ Inspirational Instagram Accounts to Follow

Our editors found their favourite Inspirational Instagram Accounts that everyone LGBTQ+ or interested in LGBTQ+ culture has to follow.

We might be in lockdown (almost) worldwide, but we still need (maybe more than ever now) to see beautiful, unique content for inspiration purposes, entertainment or just for fun. These accounts have found the magic recipe to combine it all in one and keep us insterested to check and enjoy their new posts every week.

Fashion or editorial oriented , cultural with a dose of humour or more gay & queer than ever, they will get your attention for sure, before becoming your favourites:

@all_the_others_

One of our Chief Editor’s favourites. Fashion Editorial oriented showing a gay couple’s life moments in an artistic way and direction. Simply as “Playing dress up”

@nevertrustachurchgirl

Dirty Sexy Things about the Fashion World, created and curated by journalist and fashion enthousiastic Stephen St. Clair. You will definetely remember crazy fashion moments and we are surer that its insta-stories will keep you fun company during quarantine.

@drtydna

DIRTY DIANA parties have been a statement for LGBTQ+ night life. Whoever was lucky enough to be in one of them in London, knows better… Dirty Dna is still active in Australia though and their incredible Instagram account worldwide! Including Fun, inspirational and sexy daily posts, this account is “an adoring instagram dancing disco for homo’s & their homies..”

@mymindisnotcommercial

An Imaginary Homoerotic Magazine on Instagram. Stefano (its creator) collects and curates images in order to create the fashionable yet naughty content. Editorials, hot models, fashion products & accessories and a lot of sexy details are all there combined in order to travel your fantasy with Another Point of View.

@queerbible

A project from London-based model and presenter Jack Guinness. Queer Bible launched in 2017 as a database of queer characters who changed the world through activism, art, performance and more. A space to learn about our shared history Original essays & illustrations celebrating LGBTQ+ heroes

@butchcamp

Your fun go-to for anything to do with butch identity, this account is all about its camp sense of humor. ButchCamp's creators self-describe as “just a couple of European dykes!”

‘Couse after all There’s gay camp and straight camp and then there’s BUTCHCAMP

COLD LIGHT

Photographer Jan Van Groenn

Styling Romain Celestinne

starring Gokhan Ozmalkoc

The world of Ali Franco: Exclusive Interview and Presentation

Eastern European ( originally from Ukraine) but based in Portugal, Ali Franco is a unique artist and painter.

"Lover of the erotic themes of the homosexual world, he represents a combination of concepts and taboos and gives us glimpses of bourgeois porn in candy covers, where Harmony novel atmospheres act as a setting for disturbing sexual acts among wrestlers of ancient Greece."

-Tell us a bit more about you and your art.

I was born within an artistic family, my parents have art education and my father always worked in museums and theaters, decorating rooms and the stage.

I loved so much to be in a backstage room, to see the actors preparing for showsand the busy atmosphere. I loved costumes around me and the makeup smell, it was like magic in the air.

Something else that stayed in my mind as a strong memory is the Apollo mask on the wall of my room. I was drawing him very often. Years later I was in love with the movies of Fellini Satyricon and Casanova. I guess all of these things had influence on me.

But I thought there is something I can't find and I want to see it...

I was looking for that something in books, magazines, internet and finally decided to create something by myself: homoerotic illustrations with the atmosphere I love: theater, Greek, French, Italian culture.

-How did you decide to follow and develop that section of art?

My first work pieces were not openly homoerotic actually. But people said “they look like gays, why do you do it? The guys you paint, look too feminine, it's so weird.” I guess I confused people around with my works.

I heard from them “it might be better to do normal things, because nobody needs paintings like yours”.

And I made a big break with my own artworks. I closed up and I was working just for requests, painting mostly portraits, landscapes, book and game illustrations.

But I believe it was a good experience in my life, that gave me new skill level and requirements. As a final point now they love what I create.

-Describe your art in three words.

Three main words are always with me when I'm painting - Passion, Beauty, Love.

-Where do you find inspiration? Books or paintings? Do you organise a set with live models as well?

I can say I'm more illustrator than a painter. I create a composition in my head and later I look for models. Sometimes my friends help me with this, sometimes I use photos… everything can be good in this case.

-How is fashion related to your work?

Talking about fashion, it's funny - as a teenager I wanted to be a fashion designer, to create interesting clothes, but at the same time I always thought - “it will be something out of fashion because it's too weird or complicated.”

I hope in future to use more clothes and hairstyle ideas in my artworks, maybe even to create some alternative or even a surreal world.

I like what is going on with fashion today - looks like we are very close to freedom, people can be creative and feel free to express themselves.

I'm really glad about it!

-Where can someone find your art and actually buy his favourite painting?

Two years ago I started to post my works on Instagram and didn't expected for a lot of followers, if to be honest. So I really appreciate all people who like my works! And I'm glad that people buy my paintings or art prints.

At the moment I have Etsy page for this (https://www.etsy.com/shop/AFstore) and also you can find some of my works in Filippo Ioco Studio and Gallery in Barcelona (http://www.iocostudiogallery.com).

-What are your next plans? Are planning any exhibition soon ?

I have so many plans - first to continue create new illustrations sure.

I hope to publish few books with sketches and color illustrations. Also to take a part in art exhibitions and to make a solo exhibition in two years.

Follow Ali Franco on INSTAGRAM