The Historical Leniency of Homosexual Relations

     When I was reading John Smith's writings from the third book, I came across something peculiar.  Smith states that "...a daily portion of biscuit, which the sailors would pilfer to...exchange with us for money...or love."  I have to imagine that this statement is referring to homosexual relationships, as they were all men, obviously.  I have grown up in a time when the military has had a "don't ask, don't tell" policy about gays in the navy, army, etc.  I can remember seeing on the news how soldiers had been dishonorably discharged as a direct result of their sexual orientation.  I have even heard stories about drastic measures taken by government officials to "weed out" homosexual soldiers.

                                                   Franklin D. Roosevelt

                                            http://www.omg-facts.com/view/Facts/49767

Only in the past few years have equal rights been extended to gay citizens and their partners.  Historically, however, homosexual relationships have been excepted as commonplace.  In the ruling classes of old Europe, espescially, homosexuality was considered the "cool" thing to be doing.  Many military leaders of the past had gay lovers, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar.

                                                                     Julius Caesar

 

Alexander the Great

by Rembrandt

 

So although I was shocked by this, homosexual tendencies have historically been overlooked.  When you take a bunch of men and ship them far from home with no food and no women to entertain them, I guess that sometimes happens.  However, many prominent figures have either been bisexual or had plenty of access to food and women.  I think it is interesting that for centuries, sexual orientation did not matter much (consider the Greek and Roman cultures, for instance.  See link).  Only in America was homosexuality something to be ashamed of.

http://www.angelfire.com/mi/wojtkiewicz/wojtkiewicz2.html