Homophobia: A History

by Byrne R.S. Fone

The first comprehensive history of homophobia-from ancient Athens to the halls of Congress-this bold, original work is certain to become a classic.

It is the last acceptable prejudice. In an age when racial and ethnic name-calling are viewed with distaste, and physical epithets are frowned upon, hatred of homosexuals remains rife. Now, in a tour de force of historical and literary research, Byrne Fone chronicles the evolution of homophobia through the centuries. Delving into literary sources as diverse as Greek philosophy, the Bible, Elizabethan poetry, and the Victorian novel, as well as historical texts and propaganda from the French Revolution to the Moral Majority, Fone finds that same-sex desire has always been the object of legal, social, and religious persecution. Fone shows how the biblical story of Sodom became the primary source for later prohibitions against homosexuality. He charts the subtle shifts in public attitudes and law, from Anglo-Saxon edicts that imposed death by burning upon "confess'd sodomytes," to Victorian decrees that punished sodomy with "forfeiture of all rights, including procreation" (i.e., castration). Sifting the evidence of our own times, including Reader's Digest articles and TV talk-show transcripts, Fone demonstrates that homophobia remains one of the central tenets of law, science, faith, and literature, and defines the very essence of what it means to be male or female. Written by an acclaimed expert in gay and lesbian history, Homophobia is the best sort of history: lively, accessible, and enlightening.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, LGBT, Queer, Sexuality, Historical, Gender Studies

480 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[Melissa Nickles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every person who voted to ban or rescind gay marriage equality.

[Kathleen O'Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and riveting treatment of the issue of homophobia directed towards men throughout the history of Western civilization. If you read only one book about gay male history, let it be this one.

[Ronald Lett · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it necessarily skips over some of the history, the author shares a well-supported history of the possible origins of homophobia, its connections with misogyny and sexism, and speculation as to why it remains one of the last acceptable prejudices (Sexism and even misogyny are still pretty widespread). It is extensively rich with detailed information and references on the parts of history that it does cover; for the parts that are skipped, there are full books written on those topics to fill the gaps. The author does repeat information a few times, but it is otherwise an eye-opening and detailed enrichment of the history of a prejudice. Well-documented with references quoted straight out of original or translated sources.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at the shifting way in which gay men were condemned throughout the history of Europe and North America. Fone starts by describing the quite broad acceptance of male-male relationships in Ancient Greece and Rome, limited only by suspicion that fell to the passive partner. From then Fone chronicles the condemnation that came with the increasing influence of the Christian religion reaching its pinnacle during the Middle Ages. Exploring the origins of this condemnation Fone gives the reader a wonderful analysis of how the biblical story of Sodom came to be (mis)understood. Fone then focuses on the shift from a religious to a civil persecution that took place from the 1500-1800, where the state, having grown more powerful than the church, saw homosexuality equivalent to treason. From the 1800s on Fone follows the change in understanding of gay men as immoral to understanding them as diseased. Fone then caps the book with the growing fight for acceptance since the 20th century and the increasing assurance of gay men in defending their right to freedom from persecution. While this book would undoubtedly benefit from an updated revision to address the massive shift since the year 2000, when the book was published, the book does a great job in chronicling the centuries-long condemnation of gay men as well as the way in which gay men in each epoch tried to live and defend their love.

[Vicente García Salgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

Un libro interesantísimo. Intenta trazar la historia de la "homofobia", analizando una variedad interminable de fuentes, principalmente literatura, lo que como un humilde intento de historiador, agradezco muxo. Sin embargo, no estoy de acuerdo con el uso del concepto "homofobia" transversalmente en la "historia de la humanidad", como si este no tuviera (como concepto y fenómeno moderno) un nacimiento determinado en torno al rechazo hacia un sujeto (moderno) situado históricamente; usarlo como concepto o categoría invariable e inamovible, con un sentido homogéneo desde Grecia A.C hasta EEUU del siglo XX me parece anacrónico.

Por ultimo, si bien no cuestiono taaaanto (pq es una decisión metodológica) que su enfoque sea solamente Europa y EEUU, me falta un análisis desde latinoamérica u oriente. Descentralicemos las historias de las sexualidades no heterosexuales y los géneros no cis xfavar.

Btw, recomiendo el libro 🫡

[Noah Pettinari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep dive into the history of homophobia in the west, emphasizing its roots, influences, and cultural impact. This book is very well written and does a good job of providing a thorough overview using lots of primary evidence for those interested in learning more about how homophobia became so prevalent in western society. The main thesis (that homophobia is the last acceptable prejudice) is a bit outdated, but fitting for the time it was written, especially in the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard.

[Kadi]

though it reads like a text book, it still got me hooked

[Kerwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for me.

[Stephen McGarrigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding and chilling look into the roots of homophobia.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I acquired this book. Since I randomly have a couple of books about homosexuality and history, I can only assume I found them at a used bookstore and wanted to learn more, and now seemed like an okay time to read the biggest one.

I was not aware of the history of homophobia, and actually, the terms sodomy and sodomites were lost on me for quite some time. I certainly learned a lot about the history of homosexuality and homophobia, and there was quite an emphasis on and inclusion of literature. At times I thought the explanations could be more specific instead of circling around the issue, but I know the book is already quite expansive. (There was a lot of circling around the Oscar Wilde issue, and while I'm pretty certain I remember what happened, more specific information would have been handy.)

To see where arguments came from and how we continue to use and hear them every day is fascinating, though. And a bit scary. This was worth the read.

[Thorn MotherIssues · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of stuff I knew already, but it's so dense and expansive that there were plenty of things I didn't know. Almost nothing about women, but that's sort of the point. It's not a complete history (Europe didn't stop having homophobia when Victorian England becomes the focus of the book and England didn't just magically improve and give way to the US for Stonewall) but it's a good one. I'm glad I read it.

[Will Bellais · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book all those who want to know why gays and lesbians are persecuted should want to read. Persecuting others is in our nature. The book is filled with compassion for gays and lesbians I found refreshing. It may even better than "Homosexuals in Civilization." Well, not quite, because it limits its study, but here is a new insight to gay history and gay literature.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is no tour de force - I thought it mediocre - and I can't help feeling that no one was willing to call out its mediocrity for fear of seeming homophobic. Well good intentions don't make good books, Maybe mediocre is too harsh - pedestrian also covers its longueurs and overall pretentiousness.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great book of research. The author compiles lots of historic documents and literature all over the world so one can understand how homophobia developed its poisonous claws. I must confess that sometimes it's so repetitive, but in the end, it's worth it.

[cj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The focus is on gay men, which is fine, but i expected this to be an all-embracing term. Still, the book had really useful information.

[Wasabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressingly real and unattractively revealing.

[Scott Dow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expansive and informative. An interesting read, though dense at times.

[Tatiana Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book, very informative and interesting. I highly recommend it.

[Keith Millar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, but focused entirely on Western Europe and the USA (the ending in particular focused on the US). No mention of homophobia in Africa, Asia or modern Latin America.