Homosexuality In Puritans

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In the eighteenth century, prior to the immigration of the Puritans to American, there were strict laws in Europe that made same sex relationships illegal. These laws were established with the Christian understanding that “God had ordained two sexes, each with distinct roles…” (Holler). Due to the conservative nature of European culture, the laws were enforced violently. However, controversial conversation regarding same-sex relationships were allowed to occur (Hari). These discussions helped fuel the bland life of the Puritans.

In order to avoid further prosecution, the Puritan’s fled to America. This branch from the Church of England sought to simplify worship. To accomplish their mission, they prosecuted those with different ideals (Spraggon). Their actions began laying the foundation for a society based on oppression and a “fierce sense of how gender and sexuality should be expressed.”

By the mid-nineteenth century, conversations of same-sex attraction began to crop up; even though, society lacked language for “homosexuality or heterosexuality.” Sadly, the discussions occurred primarily between professionals searching for the method to “treat the gay …show more content…
Thus, compulsory heterosexuality’s grip predates the Puritan’s exodus (Rich). Essentially, one can assume a heterosexual identity even if it contradicts their sexual preference(s) (“Compulsory Heterosexuality”). According to Adrienne Rich, “It creates, specifically, a profound falseness, hypocrisy, and hysteria in the heterosexual dialogue, for every heterosexual relationship is live in the queasy strobe light of that lie.” This solidifies the “normal” to be love between two genders and the “ideal” family begin a mother-father partnership (Rich). This out-dated tradition visibly limited Whitman’s writing, along with many homosexual

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