About the LGBTQIA+ Community

The LGBTQIA+ community has existed in many forms for thousands of years. One of the earliest known records of a same-sex relationship was in Ancient Egypt in 2400 BC, where archaeologists discovered the tomb of two high-ranking officials buried together, who are believed to have been in a same-sex relationship. Attitudes have changed throughout the centuries, and for many years and in many parts of the world, homosexuality and transsexuality were generally accepted and commonplace amongst certain cultures and societies. From Ancient Greece to Ancient Rome, there is evidence of transgender priests and practices such as pederasty and cinaedus. Though many of these practices are shocking by today’s standards, they were still part of everyday society in their time. It was not until thousands of years later and the rise of modern-day religions that the community and people became targeted and persecuted, which is still taking place in some countries worldwide.

In the 11th century, attitudes began to change. In the 12th century AD, the Italian Inquisition, under instruction from the pope, began to target same-sex relationships as sinful and immoral. Those prosecuted would be banished, with parts amputated for first offences and death for repeat offenders. The 15th century saw the beginning of the Spanish Inquisition, a horrific period of history in which any individuals convicted of being involved in same-sex relationships were castrated and banished from society. It was not just Western religions; there are many examples of castrations, death by stoning and other gruesome deaths throughout the histories of all known religions, from Islam to Judaism, all teaching that the act is a sin, as immoral and prescribing extreme measures to stop it. The community’s persecution was deeply rooted in many religions for centuries; however, most have evolved to be more tolerant and inclusive of the community in more modern times.

The LGBTQIA+ community never went away or was stamped out, no matter how hard governments, religions and countries tried. Even with the constant fear of persecution and personal threat to their lives, the community just became better at hiding and concealing who they were. They were so good at it that many have held important positions and lived in plain sight. We only know that the community survived because of the records of those unfortunate who were discovered and persecuted. Not all countries or cultures treated or persecuted the community in the same way, ranging from generally leaving them alone as long as they were discreet to targeting and prosecuting them if found guilty; however, the level of treatment stemmed from the beliefs and views held by the people and wider communities. Though some may not have been directly targeted or left alone, they still had no legal rights or protection compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

It was not until the late 18th century that the LGBTQIA+ movement began to gain momentum, with prominent figures advocating for equality, and it continues today. The fight to gain and hold on to equality is fragile; take the example of what happened over 76 years ago. During the Second World War, gay and lesbian individuals were rounded up with people who followed Judaism. The Nazis categorised people, such as Jewish individuals, who were identified by the yellow patch on their prison uniforms. Black triangles were used to identify those regarded as asocial (anti-social), including lesbians and pink triangles were used to identify gay, bisexual men and transgender women. The exact numbers of those persecuted are unknown; however, it is believed that over 100 thousand LGBTQIA+ men and women lost their lives through being used as target practice for soldiers, medical experimentation, starvation and execution. Even today, many of the LGBTQIA+ community are targeted and persecuted in some parts of the world, the brutality masked by antiquated morality laws, poorly educated societies and the majorities within many countries around the world, fearful that giving the community equal treatment diminishes their rights and protection.

From emperors to actors, the LGBTQIA+ community has a long and rich history. Often, a tale of people facing adversity, just for accepting who they are, even when the risk to their personal safety is so high. Many within the community face a challenge every day, in every country, region and continent around the world.