The history we’re not taught.
The links between queerness and Irish rebellion against the British are not well known, but are well researched. We found that up until a short while ago, Irish queer history and British queer history were tangled together in many ways. An interesting preposition, we thought, was to try and untangle that, see what tied them together, and why.
From the very beginning of the oppression of queer people in 1634, through 1916 and perhaps to the present, Irelands and Britain’s opinions on the LGBTQ community are intrinsically linked. Why Ireland only decriminalized homosexuality in 1993, and England did so in 1967 may be to do with the history and connection of the two. The number of primary sources related to this this topic is incredible if you know where to look.
The Dublin Castle Scandal of 1884
The Dublin Castle Scandal of 1884 gives us a very interesting view into Irish nationalist's views on homosexuality.
The United Ireland a nationalist newspaper published an article edited by William O’Brien and written by Tim Healy insinuating that two high ranking officials in Dublin Castle were gay. These two men were James Ellis French, the director of detectives with the Royal Irish Constabulary and Gustavus Cornwall, secretary of the GPO.
O’Brien and Healy were fiercely against British rule and saw this an opportunity to embarrass the administration in Dublin Castle. For the sake of context, this was after a recent killing of seven unarmed Irish teenagers under the direction of Mr. French.
James Ellis French and Gustavus Cornwall sued the United Ireland for libel (defamation).
O'Brien hired an ex Scotland Yard detective, John Meiklejohn to gather evidence for the case against Cornwall.
French had a nervous breakdown and pled insanity at two trials, but on his third trial he was found guilty of one count. He was sentenced to nineteen months in prison with hard labor.
Cornwall was found guilty after a five-day trial and sent to Kilmainham Jail. This was met by celebration among Irish nationalists. Bonfires were allegedly lit across the country. In Cork, the verdict was met with bands playing nationalist anthems. His journey to the jail was met with crowds booing and hissing as the car entered the jail.
Following this, a network of queer men were found and tried in court. Many were found guilty and sent to prison.
What we can take from this is:
Irish nationalists thought of homosexuality as a thing to be eradicated and used as a weapon against their enemy- the British.
From the extensive newspaper articles from Wales to America, we can assume that this scandal was, to put it bluntly, a big deal.
There was quite a large network of queer men in Dublin at that time, many of them high ranking. In fact, there was most likely always a hidden gay community in most big towns and cities.
The fact that Irish nationalists used homosexuality as a weapon is ironic considering that Roger Casement, a huge part of the 1916 rising, was in fact gay. (Sources- GCN magazine, The Guardian)
Timeline of Queer Laws and Activism in Ireland
1634- Same sex acts between men criminalized under An Act for the Punishment for the Vice of Buggery.
This act was campaigned for by Father John Atherton from Waterford. He succeeded in his campaign and ironically was the first to be found guilty of buggery. He was hung in 1640.
1861- Offenses Against the Persons Act
1884- Dublin Castle Scandal
1977- David Norris began legal proceedings to decriminalize homosexuality
1993- Same sex acts decriminalized
2015- Marriage equality achieved
2018- Conversion therapy outlawed
Sources; books.google.fr, Senator David Norris, the journal, GCN magazine, Irish genealogy, search ancestry, Wikipedia, rictornorton.co.uk
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