Status Updates From English Sexualities, 1700-1800

"'Romantic friendship' - ...the expression of women's feelings for other women... These were two well-educated and wealthy women who eloped with the help of friends and relatives in 1778. Sarah Bosonby and Eleanor Butler lived most of their lives in highly publicised retirement, dressed at least partially in male attire..."

"The presumption that lesbian sex could never be fully satisfying must provide one explanation for why the law apparently tolerated lesbian behavior. If it could never be entirely satisfactory, it likewise could not represent a true threat to heterosexuality and hence patriarchy... Because male sodomy satisfied the requirements of penetrative sex... it could be considered... uniquely dangerous to heterosexual sex."

"...[gay] behavior was part and parcel of 'normal' sexual behavior - a grievous and mortal sin, certainly, but NOT an identity."

so back then it really was considered a spectrum? like a thing that people -anyone - could just do??? wild

"Likewise, women who masturbated excessively, or who were particularly libertine, were thought likely to grow a small penis. (!!?!?!!) Their clitoris was thought to grow to the point where it could be used for penetrative sex. This belief was used to explain various cases of lesbianism."

"Indeed, Mary Withers, the host for the evening, very soon after became pregnant. The father refused to marry her ('notwithstanding vows & promises'), and she was then married to another, although she was at the same time sleeping with a third." THESE GUYS-

this line is like haunting me

"When the, admittedly Scottish, Beggar's Benison held its semi-annual meetings, the all-male, elite participants dressed in monkish gowns, greeted each other by rubbing their erect penises together and collectively masturbated into a ceremonial cup."

NOT THE CEREMONIAL CUP GUYS...