Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Keep in mind that humans are on a spectrum for most behaviors/wants/needs/etc. There is very little black and white when it comes to humans. Some people are totally straight, some are totally gay, and some are "not picky".
To encapsulate the history of this topic is daunting. Rictor Norton is a writer of note; I'm currently reading Gay Berlin: Birthplace of a Modern Identity by Beachy. Arcadia Publishing has a number of books on gay and lesbian history in specific cities in the US. Usually, a person's sexuality is just mentioned in passing...Valley Forge by Drury and Clavin acknowledge von Steuben's homosexuality, but its not central to the book; he addresses Hamilton's sexuality, but again not central.
The idea of "gay" or "homosexual" are new ideas, starting in 19th century Germany. There is research now going on in VA to write a complete history on this topic since King James to use today's term was bisexual and the James River is named after him as is the King James Bible. Virginia had two scandals on this in the 1600's: the Cornish affair in 1624/1625 and of course Tomas Hall (English army veteran) who was allowed to cross dress after the Quarter Court in Jamestown physically examined him in 1629; but I am not aware of any books on the topic since in the former at least, the records were not uncovered until 1924 when Henry Read McIlwaine was researching old records.
BTW, here's another notable figure in gay history; he was a 15th century nobleman and knight who got burned at the sake for his sodomy. His name? Dick Puller:
Germany had a somewhat tolerant attitude of homosexuals in the 30s, and Hitler's right hand man -- Ernst Rohm -- was a homosexual. Hitler was very tolerant of this. Rohm was in charge of the SA, Himmler was in charge of the SS and was violently anti-homosexual. In the power struggle between the SA and the SS, Ernst Rohm was murdered. Laws on homosexuality were strictly enforced, and thousands of German homosexuals were sent to concentration camps.
Germany had a somewhat tolerant attitude of homosexuals in the 30s, and Hitler's right hand man -- Ernst Rohm -- was a homosexual. Hitler was very tolerant of this. Rohm was in charge of the SA, Himmler was in charge of the SS and was violently anti-homosexual. In the power struggle between the SA and the SS, Ernst Rohm was murdered. Laws on homosexuality were strictly enforced, and thousands of German homosexuals were sent to concentration camps.
Yes a book on this is The Pink Triangle by Richard Plant.
I have an interest in "gay" history, that is the history of the the term itself and same sex attraction, love and sex.
I have several book on ***** theory that trace the history of "gayness" to some extent, but wanted to get recommendations of books that are historical on the subject.
What triggered my interest among other things is the current lgbt movement that keeps on adding others, such as *****, questioning and intersex and some would even argue the "T" for transgender. Some would also add "ally".
Any thoughts on gay history?
What do you mean by “theory”? Your implication alludes that being homosexual is a “fad” or “choice”. There is considerable evidence that homosexuality is as immutable as ethnicity, race, being left handed verses right handed, or eye color. The term “gay” originated as a pejorative, similar to how some people, usually the younger generation use the word “queer.”
Sadly, so much history of homosexual people has been erased, covered up, obscured, or lied about. When evidence is provided of historical figures as homosexual, unless they were a villain, the homophobes will immediately claim it as a slander. Leonardo da Vinci, or Michelangelo for example often either had their sexuality omitted, or it was denied that they were homosexual to begin with. Historically, Isaac Newton or Nikolai Tesla are examples of men, who never married, or dated women, and are considered “asexual.” Isaac Newton was believed to have a sexual relationship with Swiss mathematician Nicola Fatio de Duillier, with many of his endearing letters to him used as evidence to confirm that, but since many people, homophobic, believe that anytime a positive historical figure that contributed to society is implied to be gay, it’s considered an insult, or a slander, so it’s denied. This proves how far we have yet to go to eradicate homophobia. Consider how being an out of the closet homosexual has affected the lives and careers of so many people in a negative way, this greatly contributes to the erasure, and lack of positive figures, and role models the gay community has.
Germany had a somewhat tolerant attitude of homosexuals in the 30s, and Hitler's right hand man -- Ernst Rohm -- was a homosexual. Hitler was very tolerant of this. Rohm was in charge of the SA, Himmler was in charge of the SS and was violently anti-homosexual. In the power struggle between the SA and the SS, Ernst Rohm was murdered. Laws on homosexuality were strictly enforced, and thousands of German homosexuals were sent to concentration camps.
Yes that is correct. They were forced to wear a pink star on their clothes. Sent to the camps and then to the gas chambers along with the Jews.
I learned of this some years ago on a tour of Dachau. Prior to that visit I had no idea, that gays were also imprisoned and murdered just for being gay.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Pink Triangle
