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“Honestly, I never thought my books would make it to mainstream distribution but look what happens when you follow your dreams.”
Today’s giveaways for three special visitors are:
One (1) $10 gift card from Amazon
One (1) paperback copy of “Journey to the Rainbow’s End”
One (1) paperback copy of “BOUND”
And the winners are in…
(1) $10 Amazon gift card – Miriam Hurdle
(1) Paperback copy of JOURNEY… – Yvette Calleiro
(1) Paperback copy of BOUND – John Howell
That’s right folks! That’s three opportunities to win a giveaway just for visiting today and leaving a comment below!
Believe it or not, there were many discussions about LGBT relationships during the Revolutionary War involving our founding fathers. In fact, some of our founding fathers were tangled in same-sex relationships or identified as homosexual. Many evangelicals have debated these facts over the years in order to place their beliefs in the forefront of politics; however, these reports have been debunked by many historians and archivists. The truth is that there were ethical debates and family feuds due to some of our historic founding fathers‘ “close friendships” or “relationships“. In many historical reviews it is reported that George Washington has unofficially been named the first LGBT ally of our country.
In Victoria Brownworth’s article, she stated “Historians assert that passionate same-sex friendships were normative in the 18th century.” She also states that the acts of “sodemy and open homosexuality were punishable by imprisonment, castration and even death, both in and out of the military.” Although it’s true that being “openly homosexual” was deemed “illegal” during these times, founding fathers, like Washington, were noted in turning a blind eye when it came to others in their social circle.
Again, this information was never noted in my textbooks growing up.
Hamilton wrote passionate letters to John Laurens multiple times. One of these letters dated April of 1779 stated, “Cold in my professions, warm in [my] friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it m[ight] be in my power, by action rather than words, [to] convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that ’till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my desire to preserve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep my happiness independent on the caprice of others. You sh[ould] not have taken advantage of my sensibility to ste[al] into my affections without my consent. But as you have done it and as we are generally indulgent to those we love, I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed, on condition that for my sake, if not for your own, you will always continue to merit the partiality, which you have so artfully instilled into [me].”
More letters from Hamilton and Laurens can be reviewed on not-for-profit OutHistory.org.
Various historians have written articles on the love affair and relationship between Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens. It is also noted that George Washington was supportive of their friendship and even encouraged them to share a bunker together during the Revolutionary War.
Recruited by Benjamin Franklin, Baron Friedrich von Steuben is listed as one of the greatest Revolutionary War heroes of all time. In many reviews and articles, it is written that Baron von Steuben had multiple relationships with men. In fact these relationships were what caused him to move to the colonies after being chased out of Prussia and France. In an article from History.com by Erin Blakemore, it is stated, “During von Steuben’s lifetime, the concept of gay marriage, gay pride or coming out was unthinkable and there was no language or open culture of homosexuality. But historical homosexual relationships were actually common.”
The article goes on to say, “That doesn’t mean being gay was condoned: Sodomy was a crime in colonial America. But romantic relationships between men were widely tolerated until the 19th century, and only in the early 20th century did the U.S. military begin officially discriminating against people suspected to be gay.”
As you can see, these stories paint a different narrative than the history most of us were taught in high school and college. I could go on and on about stories from our past history that were edited or changed for various reasons, but I encourage each and everyone of you to look back out our history, especially about our founding fathers.
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