Research into the LGBTQ+ history of Wales
In 1897 a short story appeared in a Welsh newspaper written by Clara J Denton (1842-1927) an American writer, the daughter of David Melick Fort and Glorvinia Maloney, and wife of Lemi Bradley Denton whom she married 1865, in Detroit, Michigan. Clara wrote several children’s books as well becoming the first president of the Grand … Read More “Francis or Frances” »
Norena Shopland When considering a history of sexual orientation and gender identity in Wales we cannot always concentrate on items specifically related to the country and its people – for example, bestselling books would have been read throughout the UK. Bearing this in mind, I’ve taken a look at two books, one from the seventeenth … Read More “Queering Onania: some 17th and 18th-century sexual orientation and gender identity stories” »
Of medium height, slight build, clear, healthy complexion, beautiful dark eyes, and black hair that curled in bewitching waves over the fine brow. The possessor of regular, intellectual features; small, delicately-shaped hands, and feet, and a moustache so perfect in its size, its shape, its neatness, and its glossy blackness, that it was the admiration … Read More “A Secret Disclosed: a queer short story (1895)” »
Luke Blaidd (NB: Be advised that this blog contains descriptions of historical queerphobia and mention of 19th Century mistreatment of mentally ill individuals, intersex surgery, death) As ever with these history blogs, I like to draw upon classical history as a metaphor for the journeys I go on when researching queer Welsh history. When studying … Read More “Queer Ancestry- A look into the familial lives of some of Wales’ Queer historical figures” »
1922 Mary Louisa Gordon (1861-1941), a British physician, prison inspector, and author publishes Penal Discipline advocating reforms to the prison system. In the book she recalls: I came across another young woman who was continually in prison for stealing men’s clothes. She had several long sentences. I asked her what would keep her out of … Read More “1920s” »
