Gay victorian men

Now something of the liberty in the UK is much more explainable. Victorians were known for their conservative way of life, but these portraits show that many men of that era were unafraid of showing affection. Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas, his young lover. See Photos of Gay Men in Love Dating Back to the s A new exhibition features romantic snapshots found at flea markets, antique shops and online auctions.

Thankfully things have changed in most places. Like most societal rules in Victorian times, that law was hypocritical. In the US, I understand that two lesbians living together used to get called a Boston Marriage. Since the men in these photos are unknown, it’s impossible to know if they were gay couples or just “good friends.” Most vintage photographs of gay couples were eventually destroyed by horrified family members.

Beautiful Vintage Photos of Men Being Affectionate With Each Other in the Victorian Era by Maria Sofou There was a time when two men photographed holding hands or having their arms around each other wouldn’t be considered as sexually involved. Thanks for sharing, Pete! It would not be until when homosexuality was decriminalised in England, when it was legalised between consenting adults in private.

Observable homosexuality Even though heterosexuality was considered normal and natural throughout Victorian era, there is seen visible increase in homosexuality especially among men as well as intelligentsia during that period of history. Despite the passing of that law, many gay men continued to flout it of course, and some posed for photos with their lovers and friends.

Of course, that does not mean everybody agrees or is happy about it, but at least the law is on the right side of the equation. xx Michael. An old, good friend of ours published this top seller. As of July , the following countries still have laws that can prescribe the death penalty for homosexuality:.

I never before had heard or read about Gay love happened during the Victorian era. Homosexuality & Homoromanticism During the Victorian Era: 28 Vintage Portraits of Gay Couples From the 19th Century January 07, s, dating & love, LGBT, life & culture, male, portraits. At a time when child prostitution female and male was rife, and cross-dressing was popular in upper-class society, the law was rarely enforced.

Afghanistan Brunei Iran Mauritania Nigeria Saudi Arabia Somalia United Arab Emirates. Despite the passing of that law, many gay men continued to flout it of course, and some posed for photos with their lovers and friends. In late Victorian England, the Criminal Law Amendment Act , outlawing sexual relations between men but not between women is given Royal Assent by Queen Victoria.

Although they could not be prosecuted, gossip could ruin them socially, and most were under great pressure from their families to marry a man. Like Liked by 1 person. For every photo that I may have mistakenly identified as gay, thousands more were burned or torn into pieces to keep a family secret.

But that did not stop many of them recording their love by having photographs taken. In late Victorian England, the Criminal Law Amendment Act , outlawing sexual relations between men (but not between women) is given Royal Assent by Queen Victoria. Wilde was famously imprisoned for Sodomy, and that ruined his life.

It has happened throughout history of course, but the Victorians actually outlawed sex between men. One can but hope they do everywhere else as well. Thanks for sharing those. Hugh turned us on to Irish Setters 40 years ago. Like Like. Mamet wrote a period play with that title, although it is not one of the best known.

Rare photographs of men embracing intimately in Victorian times, Holding hands on each other’s laps, two young men are pictured in the s. Best wishes, Pete. Lesbians were not considered to actually exist in Victorian society, and the word was never used to describe them at the time.