As late as the mid 1980s homosexuality was still listed in the the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychological Association. The DSM listed homosexuality as a disorder along side mental illnesses such as psychosis and schizophrenia. When homosexuality was removed from the DSM in 1986, it was not without controversy. Detractors held fast to the belief that homosexuality is a deviance from nature, therefore must be classified as a mental disorder.
Ignorance and bigotry, mainly found in religious communities, further promotes the idea of homosexuality as a disorder. Many churches may see homosexuality as an act of the devil's influence or even a demonic possession. However these sects of people are shrinking.
Looking back through history, you'd think that gay people just popped out of nowhere in the last fifty years. But by taking a closer look at certain people in history, you'll find that homosexuals have been around since recorded history began. Even knowing that there had to be a pretty decent list of famous gay people throughout the past, I was a bit surprised when I i discovered just how many well known names in history were not heterosexual.
Putting together a complete list of all of those in history who were gay or suspected to be gay would take forever and create an incredibly long list. So here is a small sampling of some of the most surprising or notable historical homosexuals.
Homosexuality always existed...
It is only recently in our society that gay culture is becoming more mainstream. It's possible to see gay relationships on TV, or read about LGBT issues in a magazine. As little as twenty years ago, our society tried to hide or diminish gay culture. I'm not sure what anyone had to be afraid of, or why some people still don't want gay people to have a voice. Many people ignore the fact that homosexuality has existed as long as people have. Ancient Egypt is just one society that shows evidence of homosexuality.
Getting an accurate picture of homosexuality in ancient Egypt is difficult, but clues suggest homosexual relationships did exist. Parts of a fragmented text talk about the story of a pharaoh and his general. This is suggested to be based on a real pharaoh who would sneak out in the middle of the night to stay with his general. Many think the text alludes that the pharaoh and his general were secretly lovers.
Homosexuality in modern society can provoke strong reaction from many people. Part of what we believe about homosexuals comes from society, other parts from our family upbringing; for many of us, religion is the strongest influence. Religion, especially fundamental and orthodox religions, can be very harsh in their viewpoints on homosexuality. They will claim it is unnatural or against the norms of society, others will claim it is an abomination to God.
The problem with all of this, is that we grow up thinking that what we are taught today is the way it has always been. But when you begin to study history, you begin to understand that cultures throughout history have not always thought and lived the way we do today. This is especially true with society’s viewpoint on homosexuality. A good example of this different view point is that of ancient Greece.
Of all ancient societies, it is the Greeks that have the most artifacts left for us to examine. Much of their culture can be seen today as it was more than two thousand years ago. The viewpoint of homosexuality by the ancient Greeks is not completely clear as it applies to older adult males. It is mentioned in Greek literature and there doesn’t seem to be negative connotations associated with it.
