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The Historical Journeys Of Homosexuality

Lindsey Shelton
English 112 – Bartlow
Paper # 3 – Final Copy

The Historical Journeys of Homosexuality
Throughout history, Gay and Lesbian rights have been publicly
persecuted
and raised-up into the public eye without their want or consent. The public
seem to have very different views on this subject, as has been displayed
through legislation and common opinion. These legislations, such as the
Napoleonic Code of 1804 and the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, both of
which deal with opposite ends of the spectrum, have made profound impacts on
the way society sees and deals with homosexuality and the subject of
same-sex marriage.
Gordon Rattray Taylor, author of the book Sex in History, states
"the history of civilization is the history of a long warfare between the
dangerous and powerful forces of the id, and the various systems of taboos
and inhibitions . . . erected to control them"(34) goes so far as to be
almost meaningless. There is a period in history that is referred to as The
Sexual Revolution. This period is the time in the 1960s and 1970s is
noteworthy because the attitudes about sex and sexuality changed
dramatically, leaving them more open. It included the acceptance of more
sexual partners and a growing number of marriages ending in divorce. This
time also marked huge shifts in attitudes towards women's sexuality, freedom
of sexual expression and homosexuality. (Taylor, 392)
It is well-known that most governments are developed on patriarchal
principles, favoring the man. Many women have spoken out against the gender
bias of their government, including the 19th century organized suffrage
movement. This movement is sometimes referred to as the first wave of
feminism. There are thoughts, from modern experiences, that this group of
women fighting for suffrage could have possibly been bisexual or lesbians,
but did not identify as such in these times. It is believed that Susan B....