The history we learn is often overwhelmingly straight, with the queer experience left unacknowledged. Despite the lack of explicit records, glimpses into the lives of queer people in the past are available. Let’s delve into ten fascinating historical accounts.
Graffiti
In ancient Rome, sexuality was viewed based on the role played during sex, where being the active partner was considered ideal for men. Those who were passive were shamed. The term “cinaedus,” meaning shameless or degenerate, was commonly used to insult bottoms.
However, some men embraced this term, suggesting a gay culture existed. Graffiti found at the temple of Isis at Philae in Egypt, around AD 5, includes inscriptions like “Strouthion the kinaidos I came with Nikolaos.” These men may have adopted camp names for themselves, hinting at self-identification and community.
Longing
Love, especially unrequited love, has always been painful. Roman poetry often explores the hurt of a man spurned by a younger lover. Yet, hints of tenderness can also be found.
In a poem by Tibullus, the poet seeks advice from the god Priapus about winning a young man’s affection. The god advises caution but offers help, suggesting that earning love slowly and willingly becoming a slave to the beloved could lead to success. The key was deference and patience.
Phoebus’s Dinner
The 1st-century AD Roman poet Martial wrote an epigram about his friend Phoebus: “All the cinaedi [passive gays] invite you to dinner, Phoebus. A man whose d*ck feeds him is not, I think, a pure man.” While some see this as an attack on effeminate men, others find empowerment in the text.
In this context, Phoebus is being summoned by men who desire to be penetrated and reward him with a meal. This suggests that Phoebus is in a position of power, being used by these men, contrary to traditional Roman views.
Lucky Gays
Ancient Mesopotamia relied on omens to reveal truths. A collection of cuneiform tablets known as the šumma ālu includes omens relating to homosexual acts.
Some omens suggest negative outcomes for certain gay acts, like having sex with a male house slave or a royal official. However, other omens indicate positive results. For example, “If a man copulates with his equal from the rear, he becomes the leader among his peers and brothers,” suggesting homosexual sex could lead to elevated status.
Spotting Roman Gays
The Roman writer Juvenal, known for his satirical works on Roman society, offers glimpses into gay life in the Roman Empire. Despite his bitterness and exaggeration, Juvenal reveals the clear presence of a thriving gay culture.
He describes men who flaunt their inclinations and engage in various sexual behaviors, suggesting that homosexuality was visible, if not entirely accepted.
Molly Marriages
The Buggery Act of 1533 criminalized homosexual acts in England, leading to harsh punishments. Despite this, gay men found spaces to express themselves in Molly Houses, private establishments where they could socialize and have sex.
Trial records reveal that these houses featured men dressing as women, mock marriages, and birth rituals. Though these spaces were dangerous, with raids leading to severe penalties, they provided a vital outlet for homosexuals.
Japanese Depictions
Homosexuality had a long and largely uncontroversial history in Japan. Without Christian influence, there were fewer moral judgments. Monks were sometimes thought to be better off with young male lovers, and samurai frequently took young men as lovers.
An 18th-century scroll by Miyagawa Choshun portrays men having sex with men, with older men as the active partners. These images depict both explicit acts and tender moments, reflecting a nuanced view of same-sex relationships.
Same-Sex Homes
Historic households were often more complex than just nuclear families. In 15th-century France, legal agreements called “affrèrements” (brotherments) allowed same-sex partners to live together with rights similar to married couples.
These agreements granted partners shared rights to property and inheritance. While it’s uncertain if all such partnerships were homosexual, they offered a mechanism for men to build shared lives.
Domestic Bliss
A 10th-century Chinese text recounts the story of Pan Zhang and Wang Zhongxian, who “fell in love at first sight and were as affectionate as husband and wife.” Their relationship was widely accepted, and they were mourned by many when they died.
They were buried together, and a tree grew over their tomb, which locals named the “Shared Pillow Tree” in their honor.
Gay Marriages
While same-sex marriage legalization is recent, historical records show instances of gay marriages. The Roman emperor Nero reportedly married two men, taking on different roles in each ceremony.
The writer Martial also described a gay marriage with traditional ceremonies, including a yellow veil and dowry. These accounts demonstrate that same-sex unions have occurred throughout history, even if not always accepted.
These glimpses into gay life throughout history reveal diverse expressions of love, identity, and community despite societal constraints. It shows that queer experiences have always been a part of human history.
