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Being gay in the 19th century

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual

Another review of Graham Rob's Strangers: Homosexuality in the 19th Century.

For some reason, everyone has always been obsessed with finding causes for homosexuality, and Robb provides us with a splendid list. Lack of physical exercise, or on the other hand excessive riding of horses; too much meat-eating, or possibly anaemia; impotence or sexual overindulgence; plebeian brutishness or aristocratic refinement; too many available women leading to satiety or too few leading to lack of opportunity; lack of parental love or excess of same; celibacy or marriage; in the end, you wonder why everybody isn’t homosexual, so all-encompassing and unavoidable is the list of causes.

Philip Hensher, The Spectator: It’s the same the whole world over

Earlier: By their corkscrew-shaped penis ye shall know them. I bitch a little in Damn! I’m glad to be gay!

Comments

Dear Graham Rob- I am writing a paper comparing/contrasting gay and lesbian issues of around the Civil War-end of century to now. I would love to know more about your book, is there any way we can correspond via e-mail this week and maybe you could give me some pointers or some good statistics, or facts? Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to doing this paper. I want to prove the sad truth that there has been little changes since that time in the world even if it is more accepted. EVeryone deserves equality. Individualism is by far the only way to live happily so therefore, respect is in order for all people. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks again. Jenn

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Feel free to share your feelings about Being gay in the 19th century. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted. This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.
My thanks,
Richard