Mel Roberts

ROBERTS , Mel
Legendary Gay Pho tographer, dies at 84 in Los Angeles.
Mel Roberts was bes t known for his male nudes photographed in the 1960's and 1970's. Roberts' photographs captured much more than physiques - his images helped define the social and cultural landscape of a generation. His works have been celebrated in several fine-art books, gallery and museum exhibitions and are collected all over the world.
Roberts was a visionary person as much as a photographer. He lived proudly as an openly gay man his whole life. He participated in numerous civil rights struggles. He identified most strongly with the life and love affirming spirit that became a cultural revolution in the 1960's. Roberts was at the front of that movement in many ways and continued all the way to the end of his extraordinary life. He was beloved by all who knew him.
Mel Roberts was born M el Kells in Toledo, Ohio, on August 26, 1923.
He proudly served his co untry during World War II in the United States Air Force (Pacific Theatre).
Roberts was among the founding members of the Mattachine society, the first gay rights organization.
Mel Roberts enjoyed a l ife-long interest in photography and film. He graduated with a Masters Degree in cinema from the University of Southern California in 1950 and began a career as a cameraman and editor in Hollywood. He later helped found the first film cameramen's union. His work in Hollywood culminated with his work as a music editor on Herbert Bibermans landmark blacklisted film, "Salt of the Earth" (1953).
From 1960 until 1980 Roberts enjoyed a very successful career as a photographer of male nudes. He was among the most notable pioneers of the medium and often processed his own film and made his own prints. While his work was always very popular, it wasn't until 2000 that his work began to enjoy serious critical appreciation.
Roberts was diagnosed earl ier this year with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and after increasing health problems succumbed to pneumonia Wednesday afternoon, August 8, 2007, at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center.
He is survived by his long -time partner and friend, Peter Gonzalez, and two sisters; Eleanor Savage and Shirley Poules.
A memorial for friends and family will be held at Roberts home on August 26 from 2 to 5 p.m.