Scandal: Infamous Gay Controversies of the Twentieth Century

by Marc E. Vargo

Examine the cornerstone incidents of modern gay political history! Infamous Gay Controversies of the Twentieth Century is a compelling and thorough examination of same-sex controversies that range from accusations of obscenity and libel to espionage, treason, murder, and political dissent, with penalties that included censorship, imprisonment, deportation, and death. In each case, scandal brought the subject of homosexuality into public view in an explosive, sensational manner, stalling (and sometimes reversing) any progress made by the gay and lesbian community in mainstream society. Author Marc E. Vargo details the dignity, courage, and wisdom displayed by the gay men and women under attack in the face of public judgment.A unique blend of biography and gay political history, Infamous Gay Controversies of the Twentieth Century recounts seven international incidents that tally the cost of being homosexual in a heterosexual society. In each episode, gay men or lesbians are targeted for legal persecution, subjected to sensationalized media coverage, and publicly condemned. The book examines the short- and long-term consequences of each controversy for those involved and the impact each scandal had on gay and mainstream Infamous Gay Controversies of the Twentieth Century documents the stories

Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini--his 1975 murder and its subsequent cover-up British diplomats Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean--their defection to Russia at the height of the Cold War Cuban political dissident Reinaldo Arenas--his imprisonment in the 1960s that led to the exposure of the violent homophobia of the Castro regime Irish consul Roger Casement--his execution on treason charges and the later accusation that crucial evidence had been forged South African human rights activist Simon Nkoli--his persecution by his country's all-white, pro-apartheid government British writer Radclyffe Hall--the obscenity trial in the 1920s surrounding her novel, The Well of Loneliness German emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II--the exposé of his relationship with Prince Eulenburg A scholarly work of historical significance, Infamous Gay Controversies of the Twentieth Century is written in a straightforward tone that appeals to academics, students, and interested readers, gay or straight. The book stands alone as a record of the role played by public opinion in modern gay history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 6, 2003

About the author

Author of ten nonfiction books, Marc E. Vargo's writing focuses on transnational terrorism, espionage, European resistance movements, and LGBTQ history. Titles include “Airline Terrorism,” “The Mossad,” and “Women of the Resistance.” Pulling back the curtain on some of history’s darkest and most intriguing operations, his books explore the secret conflicts and intelligence wars that have shaped the modern world. Publishers: Taylor & Francis, McFarland Inc., Simon & Schuster/Pocket [ChatGPT-5.2]

In 2026, he is at work on a new book, "Watching Desire," which examines the ways in which intelligence and security agencies monitor sexual activity and other aspects of private life, turning intimacy itself into a subject of state observation.

Marc and his partner make their home on the Northshore of New Orleans.

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't have read this book if it hadn't been given to me by a friend. It wasn't very well written, but it was fun learning some more about the lives of a few famous gay people from the twentieth century.

Having grown up in southern African, I found the story of Simon Nkoli fascinating. According to Vargo, it was because of Nkoli's willingness to be out to his friends in the anti-apartheid movement that they wrote gay rights into the constitution after apartheid fell.