As the camera zooms in, the two stroke each other’s hair tenderly and Jack declares, “You know there is nothing in the world that means so much to me as your friendship.” Running to his dying friend’s side, Jack takes David in his arms and begs forgiveness. In the pre- Hays Code film’s climax, Jack accidentally shoots down David, who has commandeered a German biplane. While they’re ostensibly romantic rivals for “it girl” Clara Bow, neither “shows as much love for her … as they do for each other,” queer writer Kevin Sessums wrote, according to the LGBT History Project blog. Wellman’s silent film “Wings,” the first movie to win the Academy Award for best picture, follows Jack (Charles Rogers) and David (Richard Arlen) as they enlist in the Army Air Service during World War I and bond during basic training before being shipped off to France. ‘Wings’ (1927) First male-male kiss in a Hollywood movie Charles 'Buddy' Rogers and Richard Arlen during the filming of 'Wings' in 1927. I’m grateful for the chance that I was able to play a small part in this.”
“The people that pushed and pushed and pushed for gay marriage, the transgender people that have pushed for their rights. “I am so proud of all the activists that came after me,” Kozachenko told NBC News last year.
