D: Christian Attitudes to Homosexuality
Bailey, Derrick S., Sexual Relations in Christian Thought, (New York:
Harper & Brothers, 1954)
Bailey, Derrick S., Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition,
(London: Longmans, Green, 1955;repr. Hamden, Ct.: Archon/Shoestring Press,
1975)
Absolutely standard work by Anglican priest. No bibliography but text gives
best overview of Church and secular legislation
Bailey, Derrick S., "Homosexuality and Christian Morals", in J. Tudor Rees
& H.V. Usill They Stand Apart: A Critical Study of the Problems of
Homosexuality, (London: Heinemann, 1955), pp. 36-63
Barber, Malcolm, The Trial of the Templars, (Cambridge Cambridge University
Press, 1978)
Says sodomy Charges of 1308 are unproven. Use of "sodomy charges in late
medieval politics examined.
Bleibtrau-Ehrenbergm Gisela, Tabu Homosexualitaet: die Geschicte enies
Vorurteils, (Frankfort am Main: S. Fischer, 1978)
Stresses German history of anti-homosexuality from earliest times.
Bleibtreu-Ehrenberg, Gisela, Der Weibmann : kultischer Geschlechtswechsel
im Schamanismus : eine Studie zur Transvestition und Transsexualitat bei
Naturvolkern, (Frankfurt am Main : Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, 1984)
Bloch, Iwan, "Die Homosexualitaet in Koeln am Ender des 15, Jahrhunderts",
JFZ 1 (1908), 528-35
Sodomite sub-culture n 15th century Cologne.
Bond, Gerald, "`locus Amoris': The Poetry of Baudri of Bougueil and the
Formation of the Ovidian Subculture", Traditio 42 (1986)m 143-93
Sees the subculture as not-homosexual and criticizes Boswell
Boswell, John, Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality, (Chicago:
Univ. of Chicago Press, 1980)
STILL single most important work by a serious scholar. Proposes that
homosexuals were accepted before the 13th century, and then intolerance
sets in. Criticised by gay radicals for letting the Church off the hook.
Boswell rejects idea that homosexual subcultures are a recent development.
Nevertheless, at this stage virtually all of Boswell's specific conclusions
have been called into question. Students of the period must look at later
scholarly publications.
Reviews of John Boswell's works [replaces list previously here.]
Boswell, John, "The Origins of Christian Intolerance of Homosexuality", (in
Spanish), Cuadernos del Norte 8:44 (1987), pp. 18-23
Boswell, John, Rediscovering Gay History : Archetypes of Gay Love in
Christian History, (London : Gay Christian Movement, 1982)
Early presentation of the themes later developed in Same Sex Unions.
Boswell, John, "Revolutions, Universals, Categories", Salmagundi 58-59
(Fall1982-Winter 1983), 89-113
reprinted, and more easily accessible in, Martin Bauml Duberman, Martha
Vincus and Ceorge Chauncey, eds. Hidden From History, New York: NAL, 1989,
17-36)
Boswell's extended discussion of the method and theory behind his
researches and interpretations.
Boswell, John, interview by Lawrence Mass, "Sexual Categories, Sexual
Universals: An INterview with John Boswell", Christopher Street 151 (1990),
23-40
Boswell discusses with Mass the implications and controversies over his
work.
Boswell, John, "Battle-worn.", The New Republic v. 208 (May 10 '93) p. 15+
ABSTRACT:
In ancient times, homosexuality had a hallowed relationship to
democracy and military valor, even though modern military officials tend to
find this improbable or even unbelievable. Many persons who might now be
considered "gay" played prominent roles in the military, and some observers
of the times argued that gay men would make ideal soldiers because they
would wish to behave admirably while those they loved were present. In 378
B. C., the Theban leader Gorgidas created a company of 300 men, known as
the "sacred band" of Thebes, composed of pairs of lovers; according to
Plutarch. The troop played a crucial role in many military engagements and
was never beaten until the battle of Chaeronea in 338
Boswell, John, Same-Sex Unions in Pre-Modern Europe, (New York: Villard,
1994)
A groundbreaking study of the "Adelphopoiia" liturgy, which Boswell argues,
was for centuries used as a public liturgy to celebrate erotic
relationships between people of the same sex.
Reviews of John Boswell's works [replaces list previously here.]
Brooten, Bernardette J, Love Between Women: Early Christian Respones to
Female Homoeroticism, (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996)
The most important book on the classical and early Christian history of
Lesbianism. She attacks the idea that there was no general idea of
"homosexuality" in these periods.
Brown, Peter R. L., Augustine of Hippo : a biography, (London: Faber;
Berkeley: University of California Press, 1967)
Brown, Peter, The Body and Society: Men Women, and Sexual Renunciation in
Early Christianity, (New York: Columbia UP, 1988)
Important book by the foremost scholar of late antiquity on the emergence
of Christian sexual ethics and thought about the body. Vital.
Brown Peter, Le renoncement à la chair. Virginité, célibat et continence
dans le christianisme primitif, Paris, 1995) French trans of above item.
The title indicates content more than the English version.
Brundage, James, "Let Me Count the Ways: Canonists and Theologians
Contemplate Coital Positions", Journal of Medieval History 10:2 (1984), pp.
81-93
Brundage, James, Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe,
(Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press, 1987)
Now the standard work on the subject.
Bullough, Vern L. & James Brundage, Sexual Practices and the Medieval
Church, (New Concepts in Human Sexuality Series) (Prometheus Books, 1982)
Brundage is a major canon lawyer. Uses quantative methods that are
hair-raising at times
Bullough, Vern L., "Byzantium and Eastern Orthodox Christianity", in Sexual
Variance in Society and History, (Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1976.
pp, 317-346
Bullough, Vern, "Transvestites in the Middle Ages", American Journal of
Sociology, 79 (1974), 1381-94
Stresses female saints. reprinted in his Sexual Practices.
Castelli, Elizabeth, "`I Will Make Mary Male': Pieties of the Body and
Gender: Transformation of Christian Women in Late Antiquity", in Julia
Epstein and Kristina Straub, eds. , Body Guards: The Cultural politics of
Gender Ambiguity, (New York: Routledge, 1991), 29-39
Cleugh, James, Love Locked Out: A Survey of Love, License, and Restriction
in the Middle Ages, (London: Anthony Blond, 1963)
Coleman, Peter, Christian Attitudes to Homosexuality, (London: SPCK, 1980)
Compton, Thomas, "Sodomy and Civil Doom: The History of an Unchristian
Tradition", Vector (Nov, 1975), pp. 23-27, 57-58
Looks at Christian hostility in OT, NT, the Fathers, Justinian, Charlemagne
and Church Councils
Daniel, Marc, 'Was St. Thomas a Becket a Homosexual?", Homophile Studies:
ONE Institute Quarterly, 19 (1963), 68-71
Discusses play by Jean Anouilh which portaryed Becket and Henry II as gay.
Concludes that there is not sufficient evidence.
Dynes, Wayne, "Christianity and the Politics of Sex", in Warren Johansson
et al., Homosexuality, Intolerance and Christianity, A Critical
Examination, (New York: Scholarship Committee, Gay Academic Union, 1981)
Less obessively anti-Christian than his colleagues in this collection of
attacks on Boswell.. Clearly defines, apparently for all gay people,
Christianity as "our enemy".
Eekhoud, Georges, "Saint Sebastien dans la peinture", Akdemos 1 (Feb 15
1909), 171-75
Eilberg-Schwartz, Howard, "People of the Body: The Problem of the Body for
the People of the Book", Journal of the History of Sexuality 2:1 (1991),
1-24
Evans, Arthur, Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture: A Radical View of
Western Civilization and Some of the People it Tried to Destroy, (Boston:
Fag Rag Books, 1978)
Blames attacks on gays on Christianity, which needs to be replaced with
socialism.
Forsyth, Ilene, "The Ganymede Capital at Vezelay", Gesta: International
Center of Medieval Art 15:1-2 (1976), pp. 241-246
Friedlander, Benedict, "Der Untergang des Eros im Mittlealter und seine
Ursachen ", Der Eigene (1903), 441-455, trans. as "The Decline of Eros in
the Middle Ages and its Causes" in Oosterhuis, Harry, ed. (translations by
Hubert Kennedy), Homosexuality and male bonding in pre-Nazi Germany : the
youth movement, the gay movement, and male bonding before Hitler's rise :
original transcripts from Der Eigene, the first gay journal in the world,
(New York : Harrington Park Press, c1991)[ "Simultaneously issued by the
Haworth Press, Inc., under the same title, as special issues of Journal of
homosexuality 22:1/2, 1991], 99-108
Gauthier, Albert, "La sodomie dans le droit canonique medieval" in
L'Erotisme au Moyen Age: Etudes presentees au IIe Colloque de l'Institut
d'Etudes Medievales, 3-4 Avril 1976, ed. Roy, Bruno (Montreal: Ed. Aurore,
1977), pp. 109-122
Gilmour-Bryson, Anne, The Trial of the Templars in the Papal States and the
Abruzzi, (Vatican: Biblioteco Apostolica Vaticana, 1982)
Goodich, Michael, "Sodomy in Ecclesiastical Law and Theory", Journal of
Homosexuality 1:3 (1976), pp. 427-434 Looks at penitentials, patristics,
canons, episcopal instructions to the clergy.
Greenberg, David E. & M.H. Bystrin, "Christian Intolerance of
Homosexuality", American Journal of Sociology 88 (1982), pp. 515-548
Hays, R.B., "Relations Natural and Unnatural: A Response to John Boswell's
Exegesis of Romans I", Journal of Religious Ethics 14 (1986), pp. 184-215
A attempt to defend natural law condemnation of homosexuality.
Herter, Hans, "Effeminatus" in Reallexikon fuer Antike und Christentum:
Sachworterbuch zur Auxeinandersetzung des Christentums mit der antiken
welt, ed. Theodor Klauser., (Stuttgart : Hiersemann, 1950- ) Issued in
parts.
Looks at history of Christian condemnation of homosexuality.
Horn, Walter, and Ernest Born, The Plan of St. Gall, (Berkeley: University
of California Press, 1979), 3 vols.
Discusses Benedictin efforts to prevent sexual contacts with young monks.
Ide, Arthur Frederick, Sex, Women and Religion, (Dallas: Monument Press.
1984)
Discusses lesbianism in Byzantine convents (p 121).
Ide, Arthur Frederick, Lesbianism in the Eearly Religious Order of the
Christian Church, (Dallas: Monument Press. 19??)
This and the following were reported as "forthcoming" in the 1985
bibliography by Nancy Manahan in Lesbian Nuns: Breaking the Silence.
Nothing by Ide is cited by other scholars, and I have not read anything
that impresses.
Ide, Arthur Frederick, Lesbianism in the Medieval Nunnery, (Dallas:
Monument Press. 19??)
Johansson, Warren, "Ex parte Themis: The Historic Guilt of the Christian
Church", in Homosexuality, Intolerance and Christianity, A Critical
Examination, (New York: Scholarship Committe, Gay Academic Union, 1981)
Johansson, Warren, "London's Medieval Sodomites", Cabiron 10 (1984), 6-7,
34
Based on a text of Richard of Devizes
Johnson, Penelope D., Equal in Monastic Profession: Religious Women in
Medieval France, (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991)
pp 112-130, a discussion of the vow of chastity, including a rare
discussion of lesbianism among medieval nuns. There are rare indications of
such activity, but very "rare" indeed.
Jordan Mark, The Invention of Sodomy, (Chicago: University of Chicago
Press, 1997)
A critique of John Boswell's work as "social history", Jordan traces the
development of the the idea of "sodomy" in theological,canonical, and
philosophical texts.
Lauritsen, John, "Culpa Ecclesiae: Boswell's Dilemma",in Homosexuality,
Intolerance and Christianity: A Critical Examination, (New York:
Scholarship Committe, Gay Academic Union, 1981)
Attack on Boswell's theory that the Church did not create hatred of gays,
by a leading proponent of the theory that the Church was responsible.
Laeuchli, Samuel, Power and Sexuality: The Emergence of Canon Law at the
Synod of Elvira, (Philadelphia:
Lea, H.C., A History of the Middle Ages, 3 vols., (New York: Harper, 1887)
See Vol 1: 32-34, 85, 101; vol 2, 150, 335, 408; vol 3, 639
Lea, H.C., "Unnatural Crime", in A History of the Inquisition in Spain 4
vols., (New York: Macmillan, 1922)
Vol 4, pp. 361-377 (Chapter 16) 1497-1123, finds 20 persons burned at the
stake and 48 "relaxed'.
Legman, Gershon, The Guilt of the Templars, (New York: Basic, 1966)
Argues that the Templars were a homosexual warrior order and were resistant
to medieval Christianity. Poppycock.
Le Targat, Francois, Saint-Sebastien dans l'histoire de l'art depuis le XVe
siecle, (Paris: Paul Vermont, 1977)
Le Targat, Francois, Saint-Sebastien: Adonis et martyr, (Paris: Editions
Persona, 1983)
Levin, Eve, Sex and Society in the World of the Orthodox Slaves, 900-1700,
(Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1989)
Discusses homosexuality - emphasises that anal sex was the major problem.
Also discusses "same-sex unions" 149-150 , but seems serioudly misinformed
in seeing a Slavic blood brotherhood origin and thinking that manuscriots
go back to "at least the 14th century". Boswell has shown much earlier
origins. Shows the general confusion over this issue.
Little, Lester K., "Pride Goes Before Avarice: Social Change and Vices in
Latin Christendom", American Historical Review 76 (1971), pp. 16-49
Discussion of the changes in the relative seriousness of sins and why this
happens.
McLauglin, E.C., "Equality of Souls, Inequality of Sexes: Women in Medieval
Theology", in Rosemary R. Ruether, ed., Religion and Sexism: Images of
Women in Jewish and Christian Tradition, (New York: 1974), 213-60
McNeill, John Thomas, and Helena Gamer, eds., Medieval Handbooks of
Penance, (New York: Colimbia UP, 1938)
Extensive selection in English. See Payer for analysis.
Martin, D., "The Perennial Canaanites: the Sin of Homosexuality", Etc 41
(1984), pp. 340-361
Matter, E. Ann, "My Sister, My Spouse: Women Identified Women in Medieval
Christianity", Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion 2 (Fall 1986), 81-93
One of the very few articles on medieval female same-sex relationships.
Miles, Margaret, Carnal Knowing: Female Nakedness and Religious Meaning in
the Christian West, (Boston: Beacon Press, 1989; pb New York: Vintage,
1991), 53-77
Moos, Peter von, Hildebert von Lovardin 1056-1133: Humanitas an der
Schwelle des hofischen Zetalters, (Stuttgart: 1965)
pp. 236-239 on the cult of Ganymede
Naecke, Paul, "On Homosexuality in Albania", International Journal of Greek
Love 1:1 (1965), 39-47, translated by Warren Johansson from Jahrbuch fuer
sexuelle Zwischenstufen 9 (1908), 325-327
Important now for discussion of the meaning of brotherhood ceremonies.
Noonan, John T., Contraception: A History of its Treatment by Catholic
Theologians and Canonists, (Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press, 1966)
Looks at all forms of "non-procreative" sexuality and Church attitudes to
it.
Meeks, Wayne A., The Origins of Christian Morality: The First Two
Centuries, (New Haven CT: Yale UP, 1993)
Meeks does not really address homosexuality, but he does discuss the
origins of the overall sexual ethic with some verve and interest.
Olsen, Glenn, W., "The Gay Middle Ages: a response to Professor Boswell",
Communio: International Catholic Review (summer 1981), pp. 119-138
Highly critical discussion of Boswell's discussion of natural law by a
conservative Catholic.
Olsen, Glenn W., "St. Anselm and Homosexuality", Anselm Studies (1988)
Pagels, Elaine, Adam, Eve and the Serpent, (New York: Random House, 1988;
pb New York: Vintage, 1989)
A discussion of the various reinterpretations of the Adam and Eve myth and
its repercussions on Western views of sex. Pagels thinks Augustine is
largely responsible for the idea that original sin is carried in semen. The
book has been criticised by many.
Payer, Pierre J., Sex and the Penitentials: Formation of a Sexual Code
550-1150, (Toronto: Univ. of Toronto Press, 1984)
Much more negative than Boswell, but then part of Boswell's argument is the
concentration on laws and official documents has substantially
misrepresented the history of homosexuality in the middle ages.
Partner, Peter, The Murdered Magicians: The Templars and Their
Myth,(London: Oxford UP, 1982)
Suggests the Templats were homosexual.
Ranke-Heinemann, Ute, Eunuchs for the Kingdom of God: Women, Sexuality, and
the Catholic Church, trans Peter Heinegg, (New York: Doubleday, 1990,
German ed. 1988)
Although Ranke-Heinemann is somewhat selective in her views, she marshals
much evidence about the history of Roman Catholic attitudes towards sex,
boty those that have changed and those that have not. She is much more
pessimistic than Boswell. Chapter 27 address homosexuality directly, but it
is her other chapters that are most interesting.
Reviews
Berry, Jason, "One Angry Catholic", New York Times Book Review Dec 30,
1990; p. 7, 8:1
Cahill, Susan, "Books: Critics' Choices for Christmas ", Commonweal Dec
7, 1990; 117:21 p. 730-731
Chadwick, Henry, "Celibacy Slated", Times Literary Supplement Jun 22,
1990; :4551 p. 663
Chittister, Joan, "If Bashing Is Backed by the Facts, Beware", National
Catholic Reporter Feb 8, 1991; 27:15 p. 19-20
Genovesi, Vincent J, Theological Studies Dec 1991; 52:4 p. 770-773
Gleason, Elisabeth G, Catholic Historical Review Oct 1991; 77:4 p.
659-660
Hardy, Linda, "Cardinal Bashes Book, Makes It a Best-Seller -- Eunuchs
for the Kingdom of Heaven: Women, Sexuality, and the Catholic Church by
Uta Ranke-Heinemann and translated by Peter Heinegg Photograph ",
National Catholic Reporter Feb 8, 1991; 27:15 p. 19-20
Maitland, Sara, "Blind Mouths", New Statesman & Society Apr 20, 1990;
3:97 p. 37
Porter, Jean, America Mar 30, 1991; 164:12 p. 350
Read, Piers Paul, "When Sex Is Not a Sin", Spectator May 12, 1990; 39-40
Stuttaford, Genevieve, "Nonfiction: Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven ",
Publishers Weekly Oct 19, 1990; 237:42 p. 45
Watts, Richard S, "Religion: Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven", Library
Journal Dec 1990; 115:21 p. 130
Weeks, Jeffrey, History Today Nov 1992; 42 p. 57
Wright, A D, History Feb 1993; 78:252 p. 65-66
Roby, Douglass, "Early Medieval Attitudes to Homosexuality", Gai Saber 1
(1977), 67-79
Russell, Kenneth C., "Aelred, the Gay Abbot of Rievaulx", Studia Mystica
5:4 (Winter 1982), 51-64
Salisbury, Joyce E., "The Latin Doctors of the Church on Sexuality",
Journal of Medical History 12:4 (1986), pp. 279-290
Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome - After Augustine a change in view and celibacy
seen as essential.
Saslow, James M, "The Tenderest Lover: Saint Sebastian in Renaissance
Painting: A proposed Iconology for North Italian Art, 1450-1550", Gai Saber
1:1 (Spring 1977), 58-66, and response by Wayne Dynes, Gai Saber 1:2
(Summer 1977), 150-51
Sheehan, M.M., "Christianity and Homosexuality", Journal of Ecclesiastical
History 33 (1982), pp. 438-446
Reviews Boswell, Social Tolerance, Goodich, Unmentionable Vice, and
Coleman, Christian Attitudes. Critical of Boswell.
Shiels, W.J., ed., Persecution and Tolerance. Studies in Church History 21,
(1984)
Squire. A., Aelred of Rievaulx: A Study, Cistercian Studies Series 50,
(Kalamazoo, MI: 1981)
Tannahill, Reay, Sex in History, (Briarcliff Manor NY: Stein and Day, 1980;
pb New York: Scarborough Books, 1982)
Extended journalistic account of sex in history. Nevertheless useful and
the easiest place to find information such as how castration was performed.
Discusses the effects of Christianity, and the Sodom story, p. 153ff,
p.285ff and p.375ff.
Tentler, Thomas T., Sex and Confession on the Eve of the Reformation, (New
York: 1979)
Watkins, Renee Neu, "Mythology as Code: Lapo da Castiglionchio's View of
Homosexuality and Materialism at the Curia", Journal of the History of
Ideas Jan 1992; 53:1 p. 138-144
Abstract from electronic database :In 1438, Lapo da Castiglionchio wrote a
lengthy Latin dialogue defending the service of the Pope and the tone of
life at the Curia. He also made three references to homosexuality. His
views toward homosexuals are discussed.
Wetherbee, Winthrop, "The Function of Poetry in `De Planctu Naturae" of
Alain de Liile", Traditio 25 (1969), pp. 86-125 Unsympathetic to
homosexuality. See pp. 102-105
Venarde, Bruce L. Women's monasticism and medieval society : nunneries in
France and England, 890-1215 Ithaca : Cornell University Press, 1997.
Wright, David, "Homosexuality" in Encyclopedia of Early Christianity. ed.
Everett Ferguson et al., (New York: Garland Pub., 1990)
Contains this gem "The conclusion must be that for all the interest and
stimulus Boswell's book provides in the end of the day NOT ONE PIECE OF
EVIDENCE that the teaching mind of the early Church countenanced homosexual
activity." See entry under Biblical studies on an earlier Wright article.
