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Homosexuality Throughout History Research Paper

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Homosexuality Throughout History Many people believe that all the troubles we have today with the treatment and rights of homosexuals, and the LGBT+ community as a whole, is something new. However even though not addressed, this group of people have been around since the beginning of time. And although it has never been proven, Walt Whitman was assumed to be a homosexual because of the feminine way he carried himself (as well as some questionable lines in his poems). Even before his time, however, there is a long line of LGBT figures and stories throughout all of history. As a starting example, King William Rufus (1087-1100) was said to be addicted to every kind of so called vice, including lust. He wasn't exactly subtle with the gender …show more content…

At the time same sex marriage was not religiously or by civil law recognized, and it could be, however not always, be punished. Sometimes even by death. “These episodes, along with many others, reveal that even in Renaissance Europe, marriage was a highly contested issue” (There were secret). “Often two women would secretly marry in France, and create a stable home by one cross-dressing and taking on the role of the man” (There were secret). Michel de Montaigne, in July of 1578 (on a sunday afternoon) celebrated a wedding with another man. The guests were mostly friends of his, and all had a normal celebration, till the police came and arrested eleven of them. They argued that since the guests of the wedding took it serious enough to put themselves at risk, that alone should be enough recognition. Therefore, that type of union should be allowed. Another example is Queen Anne, the first formal queen of Great Britain. “Anne did love her husband, but also had a relationship with her lady-in-waiting, Sarah Churchill.” (The secret history). They got together when Anne was still a princess, openly called each other pet-names, and broke the rules by talking to each other as equals. But Sarah had a quick temper too and wasn’t afraid to dishonor Anne. She often disregarded the rules, and eventually she pushed it too far. Anne eventually dumped …show more content…

Through his poetry, reserches have noticed he uses sexual vivid imagery for both genders, and even argue more so toward males. “Whitman had intense friendships with many men and boys throughout his life. Some biographers have suggested that he may not have actually engaged in sexual relationships with males, while others cite letters, journal entries, and other sources that they claim as proof of the sexual nature of some of his relationships” (Walt Whitman). When asked by an old interviewer, John Addington Symonds, if he did have sexual attractions to other men, Whitman denied it, and even made the excuse that he had six illegitimate children. Whether or not that statement was true was never answered. However if he was homosexual, Peter Doyle was the most likely lover. Once they met they were practically inseparable. “Doyle said: "We were familiar at once—I put my hand on his knee—we understood. He did not get out at the end of the trip—in fact went all the way back with me"” (Walt Whitman). In other cases Walt Whitman was discovered to be talking via letter in code to Doyle, as well as many other male friends and early gay rights

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