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Une histoire de l'homosexualité
Dans le monde entier, depuis des millénaires, des hommes ou des femmes ont ressenti le besoin d''une intimité physique et affective avec un partenaire du même sexe. Leur histoire, longtemps oubliée, occultée, ignorée ou falsifiée est devenue ces dernières années l''objet d''un véritable flot de recherches. Des voies d''études entièrement nouvelles s''ouvrent et les vérités toutes faites cèdent du terrain. Une histoire de l''homosexualité utilise ces acquis pour offrir un tableau vivant et intellectuellement stimulant de ce qui, jusque très récemment, aurait pu être appelé une « histoire secrète ».Le livre embrasse une multiplicité d''aspects. Des historiens de neuf pays différents examinent les relations entre individus du même sexe à travers les siècles, cartographient les changements d''attitude envers l''homosexualité et suivent l''émergence d''un sentiment d''identité lié à la sexualité. Progressant de la Grèce antique et de Rome à nos jours, avec des sujets tels que l''égalité des droits, le sida ou les unions civiles, ce livre aborde également d''autres cultures, en dehors de l''Occident ; il révèle l''immense variété des relations homosexuelles, selon les époques et les lieux. De la poésie homoérotique perse aux récits de vie de femmes travesties dans l''Italie du XVIIIe siècle, des délices excentriques et hédonistes du Berlin de l''entre-deux-guerres, à l''existence d''un troisième sexe en Asie et chez les Amérindiens, le texte observe, réfléchit et raconte, à partir d''archives et d''une iconographie curieuse et originale - mémoires, lettres, œuvres d''art et textes littéraires -, une histoire sociale et culturelle du monde gay et lesbien.L''héritage que nous ont laissé ces hommes et ces femmes a influencé les attitudes contemporaines envers la sexualité et modifient encore la manière dont beaucoup vivent leur vie. Une histoire de l''homosexualité est le premier ouvrage à fournir une vue d''ensemble sur les milliers d''années d''histoire qui ont forgé la culture gay actuelle, riche et variée.
383 pages
First published January 1, 2006
21 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
About the author
Robert Aldrich
48 books9 followersRobert Aldrich is an Australian historian and writer. Aldrich is a Professor of European History, he teaches and researches modern European and colonial history, including the history of France since the Revolution, the history of the French and British overseas empires, the history of 'sites of memory' and the history of gender and sexuality.
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July 17, 2019History isn't as straight as you were led to believe :)
October 10, 2025
Ouvrage très complet, publié en 2006, j'adorerais avoir une édition augmentée. Le livre brosse toutes les époques et surtout tout le globe sans oublier aucun territoire (Océanie, Asie, Afrique etc) Il traite aussi bien homosexualité masculine que féminine et nous rappelle que le monde n'a jamais été très hétéro :')
February 16, 2013
Years ago I saw this book in an independent bookshop and recognized it as high-quality. I never guessed it was be as good as it is.
This book uses "gay" in the broadest sense. Apart from covering male history, it also goes into the even more hidden history of lesbians, trans people and hermaphrodites. As it's edited by an Australian, when it says "world history" it actually means a global history rather than a history from the US, England and perhaps Europe. It covers Western, Middle Eastern, Asian cultures and it has two chapters on indigenous cultures.
The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is it's not well-written. This is because it's written by academics for a general audience, and it's rare for academics to be gifted writers. Specifically, it has some flaws like mentioning interesting details but not giving enough information about them to satisfy a reader. Put this aside however and you will learn more about hidden gay history than you will find in any other book.
If you have any interested in gayworld, then this book is a one-of-a-kind and must-read.
This book uses "gay" in the broadest sense. Apart from covering male history, it also goes into the even more hidden history of lesbians, trans people and hermaphrodites. As it's edited by an Australian, when it says "world history" it actually means a global history rather than a history from the US, England and perhaps Europe. It covers Western, Middle Eastern, Asian cultures and it has two chapters on indigenous cultures.
The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is it's not well-written. This is because it's written by academics for a general audience, and it's rare for academics to be gifted writers. Specifically, it has some flaws like mentioning interesting details but not giving enough information about them to satisfy a reader. Put this aside however and you will learn more about hidden gay history than you will find in any other book.
If you have any interested in gayworld, then this book is a one-of-a-kind and must-read.
November 3, 2019
A very comprehensive study of gay life and culture from the Romans through to present day.
A really interesting read, especially when you consider the cyclical nature of "homosexuality" being in vogue, then scorned upon, then in vogue, then condemned. And surprise surprise the scorn always originates with ....... religion!!!!!!!! Good old religion!!! Pshhh!!!
Different authors have contributed separate chapters to this book, with editing done by Robert Aldrich. Some of my favourite chapters concerned Berlin in the 1920's, women posing as men and marrying other women, and the final chapter on the 1980's to the present.
The only reason for the 4 star rating, is that I felt some of the earlier chapters on ancient history were a bit too long and dragged somewhat.
Overall though, a fantastic study of gay life and culture.
A really interesting read, especially when you consider the cyclical nature of "homosexuality" being in vogue, then scorned upon, then in vogue, then condemned. And surprise surprise the scorn always originates with ....... religion!!!!!!!! Good old religion!!! Pshhh!!!
Different authors have contributed separate chapters to this book, with editing done by Robert Aldrich. Some of my favourite chapters concerned Berlin in the 1920's, women posing as men and marrying other women, and the final chapter on the 1980's to the present.
The only reason for the 4 star rating, is that I felt some of the earlier chapters on ancient history were a bit too long and dragged somewhat.
Overall though, a fantastic study of gay life and culture.
November 22, 2018
Un ouvrage superbe, avec beaucoup de documentations pertinentes, de belles images et de sujets poignants. C'est un livre qui est à la fois instructif et captivant.
September 25, 2016
"Dos versos de Teócrito à série de TV 'Queer as Folk', dos berdaches norteamericanos aos rapazes-esposa da Austrália Aborígene, este livro ilustra simultaneamente o que há de comum [na história e na geografia, entre raças e sexos] no amor e na luxúria, e de que formas tais desejos foram concebidos e construídos ao longo dos séculos."
Um coletânea de artigos organizada por Robert Aldrich que, pela sua erudição, conhecimento, perspetiva distanciada e independente, mas simultaneamente de "insider", é provavelmente um dos melhores livros sobre a história e cultura "gay".
Um coletânea de artigos organizada por Robert Aldrich que, pela sua erudição, conhecimento, perspetiva distanciada e independente, mas simultaneamente de "insider", é provavelmente um dos melhores livros sobre a história e cultura "gay".
January 8, 2021
WOW!
Full of hundreds of paintings, photographs, newspaper articles, books, famous histories, writings, about the subjects of LGBTQ+ people, from marriage, AIDS, Stonewall, the Civil War, the Renaissance, the Middle Ages, other cultures, cruising, art, books, biographies, etc.
Huge Resource!
Full of hundreds of paintings, photographs, newspaper articles, books, famous histories, writings, about the subjects of LGBTQ+ people, from marriage, AIDS, Stonewall, the Civil War, the Renaissance, the Middle Ages, other cultures, cruising, art, books, biographies, etc.
Huge Resource!
December 29, 2018
This seems like a good book, but one of the more unpalatable things about it is that all the chapters have been written by different authors. It makes for an inconsistent style and approach. I don't like this aspect. It's not a journal or a magazine, this is a book, and it should be more coherent. I would much rather read a single author's take on these various issues.
The chapter on the present-day gay world is already outdated by the year 2018. The book was written/compiled in 2006. The situation regarding gay marriage has changed much since then, and it feels funny reading the perspective from 2006.
The last chapter also strongly suggests that the gay world still needs more organization and outlets for all the different ways of life people can come up with in it. I don't agree.
The chapter on the present-day gay world is already outdated by the year 2018. The book was written/compiled in 2006. The situation regarding gay marriage has changed much since then, and it feels funny reading the perspective from 2006.
The last chapter also strongly suggests that the gay world still needs more organization and outlets for all the different ways of life people can come up with in it. I don't agree.
February 11, 2025
Enorm veel informatie en essays over LHBTQI+ers door de eeuwen heen. Het is vooral een deep dive, maar een erg interessante. De acceptatie van de gemeenschap loopt niet lineair en verschilt per werelddeel, en hoewel ik dat al wist, waren de voorbeelden erg verhelderend.
April 22, 2017
I only read about 60% of this book due to how transphobic and transmisogynistic it got. Referring to The Stonewell Riots as "transvestites causing trouble" in a passing and then leaving that part out of LGBT activism? Unbelievable.
I also don't like how they used the h slur for intersex people a lot, as well as "homosexual" throughout the book. Why can't you just say gay or same gender attracted people? A big disappointment, I had hoped to get some good info on my own history, but this is a transphobic and racist (white people writing about non-white cultures? Not good), so I wouldn't recommend it.
Some chapters were better, but still. One of the chapters using the n slur was pretty much the last straw for me, on top of the Stonewell thing.
I also don't like how they used the h slur for intersex people a lot, as well as "homosexual" throughout the book. Why can't you just say gay or same gender attracted people? A big disappointment, I had hoped to get some good info on my own history, but this is a transphobic and racist (white people writing about non-white cultures? Not good), so I wouldn't recommend it.
Some chapters were better, but still. One of the chapters using the n slur was pretty much the last straw for me, on top of the Stonewell thing.
February 27, 2010
So far I have learned a lot from reading this book.
I hope one day to own it. There are a lot of things
about the gay life in our past that needs to be seen,
read and heard. I look forward to reading the rest of
this book.
I hope one day to own it. There are a lot of things
about the gay life in our past that needs to be seen,
read and heard. I look forward to reading the rest of
this book.
June 27, 2015
On this very special Pride Day & my Birthday, I recommend this excellent book as a great place to continue celebrating!
November 28, 2023
Kirja on jokseenkin epätasainen historiikki. Robert Aldrich on koonnut ja editoinut sen mutta kirjoittajia ja historioitsijoita on useita. Teksti on myös eri osien sisällä epätasaista ja mietinkin onko editoija välillä pannut omia mielipiteitään tekstien väliin. Kreikan ja Rooman historia on asiallista tekstiä, samoin keskiaika, vaikka keskittyykin lähinnä kuvailemaan kuinka kammottavilla tavoilla homoja rangaistiin. 1400-1700-luku tuo esille miesten välisen ystävyyden jota arvostettiin ja kunnioitettiin ja ystävät saatettiin haudata samaan hautaan. Ystävät rakastivat toisiaan kuin aviopuolisot, ystävyys oli sosiaalinen instituutio. Valistuksen aikana filosofit alkoivat puolustaa seksuaalista vapautta ja kuolemantuomioita pantiin täytäntöön vain harvoin. Kirjassa on vain yksi luku lesboista ja se sisältää naisten kanssa naimisiin päätyneet naiset, naisten romanttisen ystävyyden, naimattomiksi jääneet naiset ja hermafrodiitit. Siirtomaa-ajan Amerikasta kertova luku on melko omituinen, siinä esitetään että esim. kullankaivajat, rautateiden rakentajat, cowboyt, kaivosmiehet ja metsurit paneskelivat keskenään jatkuvasti koska elivät mieskeskeisessä yhteisössä eikä naisia ollut saatavilla. Myös kirjoitukset Aasian, Afrikan ja Lähi-idän kulttuureista viittaavat siihen että näiden maiden asukkaat ovat lähinnä olleet seksuaalisia objekteja länsimaisille aatelisille. Jotkut kuvaukset "eksoottisista" kulttuureista kuulostavat melko epäuskottavilta, lähinnä länsimaisten ihmisten fantasioilta. 1920-luku on suosikkini, vallitsi vapaus ja ihmiset juhlivat estottomasti. Ja sitten tulikin Hitler. Kirjassa käsitellään Stonewall ja Harvey Milk hyvin pintapuolisesti ja "nykyaika" muutenkin. Myös yhden luvun voi käsittää suoraan pedofilian puolusteluksi mikä vaikutti hyvin oudolta. Kirja on erittäin tilkkutäkkimäinen johtuen monista kirjoittajista. Myöskään trans-ihmisiin ei suhtauduta kovin kunnioittavasti. Transmiehet "esittävät" miehiä ja transnaiset haluavat "herättää huomiota". Kirja on tehty vuonna 2006 ja on ilmeisen vanhentunut joiltain osin mutta editoijan asenne kaipaisi myös editointia.
September 23, 2017
Ottimo volume.
Se gli devo trovare un difetto è che un po' sintetico per forza di cose. Difetto perdonabile visto l'intento che il curatore del volume si pone: muoversi nel tempo e nello spazio col solo filo conduttore dei rapporti omoerotici, dall'antichità fino ai primi anni 2000.
Intento, va detto, pienamente raggiunto: pur peccando di sintesi, il testo è ottimo sia per chi voglia saperne di più sull'approccio storico/culturale all'argomento, sia per chi voglia iniziare ad approfondirne aspetti magari meno conosciuti.
Aldrich divide il volume in quattordici capitoli, ognuno curato da un diverso studioso: abbiamo quindi una panoramica generale sulla storia gay e lesbica, l'omosessualità in Grecia e a Roma, il Medioevo, l'Europa nella prima età moderna, l'età dei Lumi, lesbiche e donne all'inizio dell'età moderna in Europa, le Americhe, la Belle Epoque e il primo dopoguerra, il secondo dopoguerra, la modernità.
Dopo aver scorso la linea del tempo, il discorso vira su un punto di vista spaziale: si parla quindi di interculturalità e si prendono in esame Medio Oriente, Nord Africa, e Asia.
Particolarmente interessanti questi ultimi capitoli, che trattano temi meno "abusati" rispetto ad altri (come, ad esempio, Grecia e Roma).
Davvero ottimi, infine, l'apparato iconografico e quello bibliografico.
Lettura assolutamente consigliata.
Se gli devo trovare un difetto è che un po' sintetico per forza di cose. Difetto perdonabile visto l'intento che il curatore del volume si pone: muoversi nel tempo e nello spazio col solo filo conduttore dei rapporti omoerotici, dall'antichità fino ai primi anni 2000.
Intento, va detto, pienamente raggiunto: pur peccando di sintesi, il testo è ottimo sia per chi voglia saperne di più sull'approccio storico/culturale all'argomento, sia per chi voglia iniziare ad approfondirne aspetti magari meno conosciuti.
Aldrich divide il volume in quattordici capitoli, ognuno curato da un diverso studioso: abbiamo quindi una panoramica generale sulla storia gay e lesbica, l'omosessualità in Grecia e a Roma, il Medioevo, l'Europa nella prima età moderna, l'età dei Lumi, lesbiche e donne all'inizio dell'età moderna in Europa, le Americhe, la Belle Epoque e il primo dopoguerra, il secondo dopoguerra, la modernità.
Dopo aver scorso la linea del tempo, il discorso vira su un punto di vista spaziale: si parla quindi di interculturalità e si prendono in esame Medio Oriente, Nord Africa, e Asia.
Particolarmente interessanti questi ultimi capitoli, che trattano temi meno "abusati" rispetto ad altri (come, ad esempio, Grecia e Roma).
Davvero ottimi, infine, l'apparato iconografico e quello bibliografico.
Lettura assolutamente consigliata.
May 29, 2025
Generally great information, laid out in an easy-to-follow way. Personally, I would have appreciated more neutrality in the discussion of trans people that was more than just "gays who wore the opposite gender's clothing".
My main issue with the book is mostly in its final chapter. While there is discussion of Pederasty and boy-wives throughout the book as their cultural acceptance is often one of the closest things to a "gay culture" that we see documented in some societies usually as a ritual transference of masculine energy or something along those lines, I found it in very poor taste to lump pedophilia in with drag queens and leather daddies as things that should be normalized in the modern day and to defend the practice as "not usually harming children". The book is dated, but that specific point could definitely use some more examination and revision because it feels like the essayist's passion for it kind of comes out of nowhere. Call me a prude, but that really didn't feel appropriate.
My main issue with the book is mostly in its final chapter. While there is discussion of Pederasty and boy-wives throughout the book as their cultural acceptance is often one of the closest things to a "gay culture" that we see documented in some societies usually as a ritual transference of masculine energy or something along those lines, I found it in very poor taste to lump pedophilia in with drag queens and leather daddies as things that should be normalized in the modern day and to defend the practice as "not usually harming children". The book is dated, but that specific point could definitely use some more examination and revision because it feels like the essayist's passion for it kind of comes out of nowhere. Call me a prude, but that really didn't feel appropriate.
July 14, 2018
Dans son ensemble cet ouvrage retrace de multiples choses sur l'histoire des lgbtq. On apprend énormément d'informations et c'est très complet.
Cependant j'ai eu du mal avec certaines formulations. Notamment dans les parties centrées sur l'homosexualité féminine. Pour prendre un exemple, une photo illustrant la gay pride (page 25) est titrée "Des lesbiennes à moto affichent leur sexualité d'une façon quelque peu exubérante dans la cadre du célèbre Mardi gras de Sydney".
Je ne cerne pas la nécessité de ces propos pour légender la photo. Exubérante ici est un terme stigmatisant. J'ai également relevé ce genre de propos à plusieurs reprises dans cet ouvrage mais seulement pour les femmes. Jamais pour les hommes.
J'ai trouvé ça extrêmement dérangeant car le manque de visibilité historique des lesbiennes est un réel problème.
Cependant j'ai eu du mal avec certaines formulations. Notamment dans les parties centrées sur l'homosexualité féminine. Pour prendre un exemple, une photo illustrant la gay pride (page 25) est titrée "Des lesbiennes à moto affichent leur sexualité d'une façon quelque peu exubérante dans la cadre du célèbre Mardi gras de Sydney".
Je ne cerne pas la nécessité de ces propos pour légender la photo. Exubérante ici est un terme stigmatisant. J'ai également relevé ce genre de propos à plusieurs reprises dans cet ouvrage mais seulement pour les femmes. Jamais pour les hommes.
J'ai trouvé ça extrêmement dérangeant car le manque de visibilité historique des lesbiennes est un réel problème.
December 29, 2019
Kokoelma artikkeleita, jotka käsittelevät homoseksuaalisuuden historiaa sekä yleisellä tasolla että eri aikakausien ja alueiden näkökulmasta. Teoksen artikkelit painottuvat suuresti miesten välisiin suhteisiin, naisten välisiä suhteita käsitellään omana osa-alueenaan vain muutamassa artikkelissa, muissa artikkeleissa maininnat näistä rajoittuvat lähinnä sivulauseisiin tai pieniin kappaleisiin. Koska teos on toimitettu alunperin vuonna 2006, myös nykyisin enemmän esillä olevat ilmiöt, kuten transseksuaalisuus ja -sukupuolisuus, jäävät tässä teoksessa vähälle huomiolle ja pienille maininnoille. Teoksessa on kattava määrä kiinnostavia valokuvia, joista pientä plussaa. Kokonaisuutena tälle teokselle 3 tähteä.
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June 18, 2025DNF AT 68% although started to skim. This was a pick for my queer feminist book club and although nothing was particularly wrong with the book - for me and it’s not a reflection of the book - the book was doing its job - it was just too heavy on facts and figures and was dull for a book club choice so gave up.
One thing as well that annoyed me. No balance. Loads of gay facts and figures. Very few for the lesbians and that annoyed me a little too.
If you want a dense uni type book for gay culture through the ages - this is for you. Otherwise give it a miss.
One thing as well that annoyed me. No balance. Loads of gay facts and figures. Very few for the lesbians and that annoyed me a little too.
If you want a dense uni type book for gay culture through the ages - this is for you. Otherwise give it a miss.
June 20, 2021
Me ha gustado bastante. Un análisis bastante completo que no se ha centrado solo en Europa-Occidente. Me ha faltado un poco más de historia de mujeres, pero entiendo que tampoco hay tanta información.
May 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this fun book filled with pictures talking about general gay culture! I wish it had included people who existed outside of the binary genders more than it did but outside of that it was lovely!
October 22, 2023
Somewhat outdated, but a good overview of queer history across the world until the early 2000s. Also worth a look for the wealth of images accompanying the text.
July 13, 2025
Published in 2006 so it’s dated now but it was pretty comprehensive and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know before
May 1, 2022
A readable collection of essays about the history of homosexuality and of the different forms of queerness throughout the times. Especially interesting are the essays about antiquity, premodern Eastern world (!!!), and various indigenous cultures around the globe whereas the chapters about premodern and early modern Europe tend to get rather boring rather fast. Also when reading this kind of specialized history with a focus on a heated subject, such as various non-normative expressions of sexuality, it does feel that the researchers are so keen on looking for signs of their subject matter everywhere, that they occasionally see it in places where it does not necessarily exist, or where the interpretation is so loose because it is based on such circumstantial evidence that it cannot really be verified nor falsified, that it makes one wonder if there is a point in even presenting it. Well, sometimes there is, because there are times the evidence from older eras on such controversial subjects as this is so scarce that one simply has to make some assumptive leaps, but with this I felt that the writers were also doing it when they didn't have to out from lack of other sources.
January 29, 2012
Interesting book in many aspects from culture of life in ancient time til medieval history and interconnections in society. What is provoking it is very rich preview about history and life of Gay life&culture, influence of it and how was impact on society ..in the High society, art, literature. We could discover the view of church which by my opinion little bit twisted, particularly catholic..Also here is included history of sexual relationships and analysis of it..ranging as pervert..in medieval times. For instances Thomas Akvinas..statement..I would like to ask :''Why one scholar like him have such obligation to write notes about it..?'' Well one error but small major gay culture in ancient time was in Theba not in Athena..Socrates has been prosecuted and on the and killed because of his homosexuality but it was in Athena in totally different context..
Well till I finish book, will post my all impressions..
Well till I finish book, will post my all impressions..
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews