Gay people throughout history

Emily Dickinsonthe poet and recluse, was rumored to be bisexual based on some letters she wrote to her sister-in-law that were uncovered posthumously. Chavela Vargas came out of the closet when she was 81 years old in the most awesome way possible. Bayard Rustin is the famous activist who helped Martin Luther King organize marches and demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement.

But he also was well known for his romance with male consort Antinous.

Historical Figures Who Were : Most historians agree that there is evidence of homosexual activity and same-sex love, whether such relationships were accepted or persecuted, in every documented culture

Not many know his name today, but his contributions as an out LGBT person during that era should be celebrated. Alexander the Great is another world conquerer who took both male and female lovers. Audre Lorde has famously said, "Your silence will not protect you.

Since I opened my eyes to the world, I have never slept with a man. Not only was Florence Nightingale a pioneer in the field of nursing, she also was reportedly a Sapphic who once wrote: "I have lived and slept in the same beds with English Countesses and Prussian farm women.

Langston Hughes, the iconic American poet, is believed to have hidden " gay codes " in his poems, according to the University of Illinois, Springfield. At 19 he had a an affair with King Nicomedes of Bithynia but also engaged in many adulterous affairs with women.

Julius Caesar may have been the first emperor but he was also a bisexual king. The world would not be what it is today if it weren't for the extraordinary queer folks who made history. Let's be real. According to Cary Grant's daughter, the iconic Hollywood actor "liked being called gay.

It was long rumored that she had a verrrry close relationship with a female reporter back in the day. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Yes, we've always been here and doing amazing things.

Roman Emperor Hadrian famously having erected a wall marking the edge of Roman rule in the modern day United Kingdom, which bares his name.

From Alexander to Florence Nightingale, there are many people in history who were totally queer. Leonardo da Vinci created both of those iconic works of art. LGBTQ+ people have been around throughout history, and some are even more famous than others, like Leonardo da Vinci and Shakespeare.

I have nothing to be ashamed of. Sally Ride was the first woman to fly in space AND the first queer woman to fly in space. What survives after many centuries of persecution—resulting in shame, suppression, and secrecy—has only in more recent decades.

Just imagine what purity. While perhaps best known for his many plays William Shakespeare also famously wrote sonnets, to both men and women. I was born this way. There are historical records like that written by Plutarch about Alexander which seemingly document him having relationships with men and women.

LGBTQ history dates back to the first recorded instances of same-sex love, diverse gender identities, and sexualities in ancient civilizations, involving the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) peoples and cultures around the world.