The first Gay Tarots in the approximately six hundred year history of the famous divination cards are branded Turin.
Two gay tarot cards
They were produced by the Turin-based publishing house Lo Scarabeo, a "specialist" in producing thematic tarots of all kinds (the catalog is extremely rich: from the classic Marseille or Lombard ones to the ultra-modern floral, enchanted ones, dedicated to mermaids, vampires, fairies, Indians, druids and so on, from erotic art ones to those printed with hot gold and silver impressions, from ancient esoteric ones to mini tarots). The company entrusted the creation of the new deck to the American expert Lee Bursten, who oversaw the layout of the collection, and to the Italian artist Antonella Platano, author of the plates.
Why dedicate tarot cards to the male homosexual universe? "Because," the authors reply, "as an oppressed minority, often at risk of losing their jobs, homes, freedom, or even their lives because of their sexual identity, gay men deserve a tarot deck that can provide them with a non-threatening way to explore the themes of relationships and how to interact with a society whose attitudes range from indifference to hostility.".
For this reason, the Gay Tarot "emphasizes aspects of independence, self-sufficiency, self-esteem, and positive self-image," as well as, of course, cards "representing the negative aspects of life." While in the "Priest" card, a priest blesses two young people holding hands, in the "Revelation" card, a boy speaks to his visibly displeased parents. There are few concessions to sexuality: in the "Moon" card, two men kiss in bed, while in the "Lovers" card, a white man and a black man, naked to the waist, exchange a caress.