Homosexuality - 19th - 20th Century

Question 1

How was homosexuality portrayed in the 19th century?

Answer 1

mental illness
described by law as ‘act of gross indecency’
Churches condemned it
seen as something you chose

Question 2

How did the medical profession portray homosexuality + quote?

Answer 2

mental illness
frontal leucotomy - Dr Ian Few - ‘The operation…destroyed the patient’s personality to a major degree, some patients became little better than zombies.’

Question 3

How did prisons increase homosexual behaviour?

Answer 3

In prison with those of same sex

Already in prison - not much to lose in breaking law

Question 4

What was the 1957 Wolfenden report? Did it succeed in changing attitudes?

Answer 4

acknowledged homosexuality = innate
called for abandonment of attempts to alter homosexual behaviour

no - 40 years before attitudes changed

Question 5

How did the advent of AIDS affect the homosexual community?

Answer 5

AIDS = virus more readily transmitted in male homosexual sex than in heterosexual activity
prejudices against homosexuals particularly in USA

Question 6

What were Christian thoughts about AIDS?

Answer 6

described by some as punishment sent by God to homosexuals

However, some did show understanding and compassion