The Series's biographies were feeling a bit white, middle class, western, post-industrial revolution, so I decided to shake things up a bit.
Dong Xian (23BC - 1BC) was a politician in the Han Dynasty of China. Most scholars agree that Xian's rise in power from an obscure minor official to Marquess, the highest imperial official below the emperor was due to his homosexual relationship with Emperor Ai, rather than his abilities.
An idiomatic term for homosexuality in Chinese is 'duanxiu zhi pi' (fetish of the cut sleeve) which originates from an episode between Ai and Xian, where Xian was asleep resting on Ai's sleeve, so instead of waking him, Ai cut off his sleeve. Aww.
Both men were married, but Emperor Ai built Dong Xian and his wife a palace adjacent to the Imperial Palace, and Ai continued to lavish Xian with gifts of large amounts of money, jewels and jewellery, swords and silk costumes.
In 3BC, Ai wanted to make Xian a Marquess but could find no excuse for the awarding of the title, so he had a rumour spread about Liu Yun, a provincial prince, that he was using witchcraft. Yun was consequently demoted to commoner status and committed suicide whilst Xian took up the title.
Despite the title, Xian didn't fulfil any of the civic duties expected of a Marquess, instead he accompanied Emperor Ai all day, every day. In 1BC, Ai died suddenly and Xian was the most powerful man in the empire. Paralysed by grief, Dong was unable to stop Empress Dowager Wang seize the imperial seal and take control. Dong was relieved of his post, the next night Dong and his wife committed suicide and were privately buried. The new line of emperor had his body disinterred to check he was dead and re-buried him within a prison.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Friday, 19 February 2010
The LGBT History Series (19) - Colette
'Colette' was the pen-name of bisexual French novelist, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1827-1954).
Her first series was the 'Claudine' series, about a charming "literary charlatan and degenerate", which shocked, but still went down a storm in polite French circles in 1893.
In 1907 Colette was performing at the Moulin Rouge with her partner, Mathilde de Morny; their onstage kiss caused a riot, to which the police had to be called.
Colette wrote a ballet for the Paris Operahouse in 1914, and approached Maurice Ravel (him what wrote 'Bolero') to write the score for it.
Perhaps her most famous work, 'Cheri' was written in 1920, and turned into a modern film only last year, with Michele Pfeiffer playing the seductress that accidentally falls for her 19-year old male ward, and has a 6-year relationship with.
In 1924, Colette divorced her second husband, Henri de Jouvenel, after a much-publicised affair with his son, Bertrand de Jouvenel.
In 1935, Colette married again, this time to Maurice Goudeket, who wrote a book entitled 'Close to Colette: An intimate portrait of a Woman of Genius'. During the German occupation of France in WWII, Colette helped her Jewish husband and his peers hide in the attic.
Colette was the first woman to be accepted into the Academie Goncourt in 1945 and became president in 1949. When she died in Paris, in 1954, she was given a state funeral
Her first series was the 'Claudine' series, about a charming "literary charlatan and degenerate", which shocked, but still went down a storm in polite French circles in 1893.
Source: Peterlanczak.de, Permission: copyright expired.
Her first marriage was to a famous bisexual, Henri Gauthier-Villars, or 'Willy' to his friends. After 15 years she left the unfaithful Willy, and had affairs with an American writer, Natalie Barney, and actress Josephine Baker.In 1907 Colette was performing at the Moulin Rouge with her partner, Mathilde de Morny; their onstage kiss caused a riot, to which the police had to be called.
Colette wrote a ballet for the Paris Operahouse in 1914, and approached Maurice Ravel (him what wrote 'Bolero') to write the score for it.
Perhaps her most famous work, 'Cheri' was written in 1920, and turned into a modern film only last year, with Michele Pfeiffer playing the seductress that accidentally falls for her 19-year old male ward, and has a 6-year relationship with.
In 1924, Colette divorced her second husband, Henri de Jouvenel, after a much-publicised affair with his son, Bertrand de Jouvenel.
In 1935, Colette married again, this time to Maurice Goudeket, who wrote a book entitled 'Close to Colette: An intimate portrait of a Woman of Genius'. During the German occupation of France in WWII, Colette helped her Jewish husband and his peers hide in the attic.
Colette was the first woman to be accepted into the Academie Goncourt in 1945 and became president in 1949. When she died in Paris, in 1954, she was given a state funeral
Thursday, 18 February 2010
The LGBT History Series (18) - The Wolfenden Report
The Wolfenden Report was a piece of British government legislation, published in 1957, suggesting that consenting homosexual practice between two adults, in private should not be illegal.
The report was put together after a succession of high-profile men were convicted of homosexual offences, including Peter Wildeblood, one of the first people in the public eye to admit to being homosexual.
The BBC reported that after 3 years in session, the committee had come to the conclusion that outlawing homosexuality impinged on civil liberties, and that private matters, 'moral or immoral' are not the laws business. The closing comments in the report made it clear that the committee was neither condoning nor condemning homosexuality
A highly entertaining dramatisation of the scandal that led to the Wolfenden Report can be watched on 4oD at this link: A Very British Sex Scandal
The report was put together after a succession of high-profile men were convicted of homosexual offences, including Peter Wildeblood, one of the first people in the public eye to admit to being homosexual.
The BBC reported that after 3 years in session, the committee had come to the conclusion that outlawing homosexuality impinged on civil liberties, and that private matters, 'moral or immoral' are not the laws business. The closing comments in the report made it clear that the committee was neither condoning nor condemning homosexuality
A highly entertaining dramatisation of the scandal that led to the Wolfenden Report can be watched on 4oD at this link: A Very British Sex Scandal
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
All Aboard!
The New History Lab is becoming, accidentally, rather obsessed with trains. But even for us bright pink anoraks, a bit much. Google Russia has uploaded all of the Trans Siberian. Watch a video of a train journey, look at items on the maps, and listen to an audio track of books in Russian or train wheels. The point of this exercise seriously eludes me. The Moscow video has already 'been removed by the user'. At a push, it might do for Marcel's holiday. The Guardian, of course, loves it.
On Sunday, 21st March, with the New History Lab you can do much, much better this. We'll be going on a steam train, with more details coming very soon. And on the Friday evening (19th March) a very special bonus New History Lab: James Patterson from MACE is going to show some gems from the British Transport Film Unit. When running things at the BFI James acquired these, so he knows about this. And we are promised my favourite: 'The Elizabethan Express'. Clear your diaries at once!
Finally, don't forget to apply for your tickets for the Mystery Guest. All existing Labbers have been emailed application forms today.
The LGBT History Series (17) - The Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall Riots in June 1969 were a turning point in US and international queer history, as the first time that gay people fought back against a persecuting government policy. They also signalled the Gay Rights Movement joining the pantheon of social movements in the 60s, including the Civil Rights Movement, and anti-war demonstrations.
Author: Bob Bobster, Permission: Creative Commons
Above is an image of the Stonewall Inn where the riots originated, in Greenwich Village, New York. In 1966 the Inn was invested in by the mafia, and opened as the only gaybar in New York where dancing was allowed. The bar had no liquor licence, no running water behind the bar, there were no fire exits and the toilets are better left undescribed. To avoid letting in undercover police, visitors to the club would have to be known by the bouncer, or look gay.
At 1:20am on saturday, 28th June, 1969, the police raided the bar. Patrons that weren't arrested were let out of the front door, but instead of dispersing for fear of discovery or brutality as per usual, a crowd started to gather. Shouts of 'Gay Power!' were heard and someone started singing 'We Shall Overcome'. Police shoving the crowds were shoved back, and had bottles thrown at the police wagons.
A scuffle broke out surrounding a woman who fell over whilst handcuffed and escorted to a wagon, the crowd turned into a mob and fights with the police broke out. The mob attempted to overturn the wagons and slash the tires. By now the crowd was 500 or 600 strong and had found a nearby construction site with loose bricks as handy projectiles.
Parking meters were used as battering rams and rubbish bins were set alight. "You've been treating us like sh*t all these years, now its our turn!" was shouted by a man with a tiara.
The police unholstered their guns and aimed at the crowds.
More police arrived and formed a phalanx, which was mocked by lines of gays doing can-can dances, until they were rushed with night-sticks.
13 people were arrested, some of the crowd were hospitalised, and 4 police officers were injured.
The aftermath to the first riot included gay-power slogans sprayed on the walls of the burnt out Inn. The next night, many of the rioters returned, choosing to continue their demonstration by public displays of affection. This time the crowd numbered in the thousands, more than 100 police were present, and street battles ensued again until 4am.
Riots were rained off on Monday and Tuesday, but resumed on Wednesday lasting only an hour and can be summarised by an interviewed witness: "The fags have had it with oppression."
The events of the Stonewall Riots triggered a multitude of Gay Liberation organisations which organised peaceful demonstrations like picketing and marches and a Gay Pride March in New York. The building which once housed the Stonewall Inn was declared a National Historic Landmark.
At 1:20am on saturday, 28th June, 1969, the police raided the bar. Patrons that weren't arrested were let out of the front door, but instead of dispersing for fear of discovery or brutality as per usual, a crowd started to gather. Shouts of 'Gay Power!' were heard and someone started singing 'We Shall Overcome'. Police shoving the crowds were shoved back, and had bottles thrown at the police wagons.
A scuffle broke out surrounding a woman who fell over whilst handcuffed and escorted to a wagon, the crowd turned into a mob and fights with the police broke out. The mob attempted to overturn the wagons and slash the tires. By now the crowd was 500 or 600 strong and had found a nearby construction site with loose bricks as handy projectiles.
Parking meters were used as battering rams and rubbish bins were set alight. "You've been treating us like sh*t all these years, now its our turn!" was shouted by a man with a tiara.
The police unholstered their guns and aimed at the crowds.
More police arrived and formed a phalanx, which was mocked by lines of gays doing can-can dances, until they were rushed with night-sticks.
13 people were arrested, some of the crowd were hospitalised, and 4 police officers were injured.
The aftermath to the first riot included gay-power slogans sprayed on the walls of the burnt out Inn. The next night, many of the rioters returned, choosing to continue their demonstration by public displays of affection. This time the crowd numbered in the thousands, more than 100 police were present, and street battles ensued again until 4am.
Riots were rained off on Monday and Tuesday, but resumed on Wednesday lasting only an hour and can be summarised by an interviewed witness: "The fags have had it with oppression."
The events of the Stonewall Riots triggered a multitude of Gay Liberation organisations which organised peaceful demonstrations like picketing and marches and a Gay Pride March in New York. The building which once housed the Stonewall Inn was declared a National Historic Landmark.
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stonewall_Inn_September_1969_%28Photo_from_New_York_Public_Library%29.jpg
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Experience
Professor Sweet has sent this over for inclusion in the blog. Are you a taught-course postgraduate student at Leicester? Not limited to history, either. If so, then this is for you. Express your views on your 'experience' at Leicester. Whilst this term isn't particularly in vogue with historiography at the moment, it does seem to thrill university management and education journalists: they are very keen for you to tell them your songs of experience here. It is a wonderful opportunity to mention how useful the research training and support offered by the NEW HISTORY LAB has been. Think of all that delicious cake and wonderful history!
The LGBT History Series (16) - Canal Street, Manchester
Canal Street in Manchester is a unique space of urban culture. Today the area is voraciously protected by society and the municipality as a place of gay or queer culture. It centres around a street of cafes, pubs, bars and clubs in the centre of Manchester which has been populated by 'gay-bars' and is an international queer tourist attraction.
Before the 1960s Canal Street was a space of subverted queer culture - its dark, isolated spaces close to the train and bus stations were perfect spots for cruising men and women without detection from the fierce Manchester police. This focus lead to many of the existing pubs and social spaces around Canal Street receiving a queer clientele.
In 1991 a gay-club called 'Manto' was opened on Canal Street, but unlike other gay-clubs with blacked-out windows and indeterminate names, Manto had large glass windows making it a place to see and be seen. Over the next two decades, Canal Street's queer presence has been cultivated and built into the infrastructure of the city; with Manchester's Pride march being one of the highest grossing events in Manchester's festival calendar. The clientele of Canal Street have showed their power and passion for their space in the past; in 1996 they staged a boycott on a chain-pub which opened on the street but refused to support the Pride festival. It had to close, and was re-opened as a 'Queer'.
The gay district has been described as 'homonormative', happily expressing and publicising the acceptable faces of homosexuality whilst the political issues of sexual expression are excluded, as gay culture becomes desexualised and sanitised so as not to offend wider sources of consumerism.
Canal Street looks onto Sackville Park, which displays various queer memorials and dedications including the Alan Turing statue referred to earlier in the series, and the 'Beacon of Hope'. This is Britain's only material memorial to those who've suffered or died from HIV/AIDs. The candlelight vigil on World Aids Day is traditionally the end of the Manchester Pride Festival
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canal_Street_%28Manchester%29_Sign_Post.jpg
Before the 1960s Canal Street was a space of subverted queer culture - its dark, isolated spaces close to the train and bus stations were perfect spots for cruising men and women without detection from the fierce Manchester police. This focus lead to many of the existing pubs and social spaces around Canal Street receiving a queer clientele.
In 1991 a gay-club called 'Manto' was opened on Canal Street, but unlike other gay-clubs with blacked-out windows and indeterminate names, Manto had large glass windows making it a place to see and be seen. Over the next two decades, Canal Street's queer presence has been cultivated and built into the infrastructure of the city; with Manchester's Pride march being one of the highest grossing events in Manchester's festival calendar. The clientele of Canal Street have showed their power and passion for their space in the past; in 1996 they staged a boycott on a chain-pub which opened on the street but refused to support the Pride festival. It had to close, and was re-opened as a 'Queer'.
The gay district has been described as 'homonormative', happily expressing and publicising the acceptable faces of homosexuality whilst the political issues of sexual expression are excluded, as gay culture becomes desexualised and sanitised so as not to offend wider sources of consumerism.
Canal Street looks onto Sackville Park, which displays various queer memorials and dedications including the Alan Turing statue referred to earlier in the series, and the 'Beacon of Hope'. This is Britain's only material memorial to those who've suffered or died from HIV/AIDs. The candlelight vigil on World Aids Day is traditionally the end of the Manchester Pride Festival
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canal_Street_%28Manchester%29_Sign_Post.jpg
Monday, 15 February 2010
The LGBT History Series (15) - Quentin Crisp
Quentin Crisp (1980-1999) was an English writer and raconteur who lived an outlandish and exhibitionist life in London's Soho and frequently visiting New York's subverted spaces.
Crisp, (born Charles Pratt) was successively a failed journalism student, an art student, transvestite, and prostitute. His unorthodox appearance (crimson dyed hair, make-up, a mixture of men's and women's clothes, painted fingernails and toenails) attracted curiosity and admiration from some, but hostility and violence from strangers in the streets.
Crisp, (born Charles Pratt) was successively a failed journalism student, an art student, transvestite, and prostitute. His unorthodox appearance (crimson dyed hair, make-up, a mixture of men's and women's clothes, painted fingernails and toenails) attracted curiosity and admiration from some, but hostility and violence from strangers in the streets.
Author: Graham Colm, Permission: GFDL
1939 - Quentin Crisp attempted to join the army, but was rejected on the grounds that he was 'suffering from sexual perversion' (see yesterday's post about army policy towards homosexuals), so instead he paraded through the blackouts of London, picking up kind and open-minded GIs.
1942 - he made a salary from being an artists model at St Martin's School of Art, but his various manuscripts for novels and autobiographies were soon picked up, and tv documentaries and dramatisations were soon to follow.
1975 - John Hurt played Crisp in 'The Naked Civil Servant'. On the back of this, Crisp toured a one-man-show/lecture and published books on social inclusivity and wrote various columns in British and American newspapers.
1976 - Crisp turned his hand to screen-acting, playing Polonius in an adaptation of 'Hamlet' which also included Helen Mirren, playing both Ophelia and Gertrude.
1987 - Sting and the Police wrote 'Englishman in New York' dedicated to Crisp after meeting him and spending many a dinner party discussing the 'misuranistic gay culture of Britain 1920-1960'
1990 - he played Queen Elizabeth I in 'Orlando' which won him critical acclaim.
1996 - contributed to a documentary called 'The Celluloid Closet' on how homosexuality was portrayed and received in Hollywood.
1999 - one month before his 91st birthday Crisp died. His estate was estimated to be worth more than $600,000.
In his old age, Crisp caused controversy and confuddlement in queer culture by referring to AIDs as a 'fad', and saying 'what is there to be proud of? I don't believe in rights for homosexuals'.
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crisp_1982.jpg
1942 - he made a salary from being an artists model at St Martin's School of Art, but his various manuscripts for novels and autobiographies were soon picked up, and tv documentaries and dramatisations were soon to follow.
1975 - John Hurt played Crisp in 'The Naked Civil Servant'. On the back of this, Crisp toured a one-man-show/lecture and published books on social inclusivity and wrote various columns in British and American newspapers.
1976 - Crisp turned his hand to screen-acting, playing Polonius in an adaptation of 'Hamlet' which also included Helen Mirren, playing both Ophelia and Gertrude.
1987 - Sting and the Police wrote 'Englishman in New York' dedicated to Crisp after meeting him and spending many a dinner party discussing the 'misuranistic gay culture of Britain 1920-1960'
1990 - he played Queen Elizabeth I in 'Orlando' which won him critical acclaim.
1996 - contributed to a documentary called 'The Celluloid Closet' on how homosexuality was portrayed and received in Hollywood.
1999 - one month before his 91st birthday Crisp died. His estate was estimated to be worth more than $600,000.
In his old age, Crisp caused controversy and confuddlement in queer culture by referring to AIDs as a 'fad', and saying 'what is there to be proud of? I don't believe in rights for homosexuals'.
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crisp_1982.jpg
Sunday, 14 February 2010
The LGBT History Series (14) - 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Now you can't say the NHL LGBT History Series isn't current, today we're looking at the US Army's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy.
The first associated policy was in 1916 when servicemen were presented with 'neutral blue' discharges. In 1947 they were discontinued and 'general' or 'undesireable' discharges were used instead. Under these systems, any servicemen who was thought to be homosexual, without committing a 'homosexual practice' was dishonourably discharged.
The DADT policy, and the later amendment of 'Don't Pursue, Don't Harrass' were first implemented by then-President Bill Clinton, unofficially spurred on by the brutal murder of gay US Navy officer Allen R Schindler Jr. In Clinton's presidential campaign he'd promised that all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation would be allowed to serve openly in the US Military. The policy at this time followed the 1982 Department of Defense Directive 1332.14, saying it was military policy that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service."
In a 2008 poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News, 75% of Americans - including 80% of Democrats, 75% of independents, and 66% of conservatives - said that openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the military. A 2006 international poll of military members found that 66% of respondents who had experience with gays or lesbians in their unit said that the presence of gay or lesbian unit members had either no impact or a positive impact on their personal morale.
The DADT policy has recently come to light under Obama's presidency: during his presidency-campaign he advocated its repeal, and most recently during Obama's State of the Union Address on 27th January, 2010, he stated that he will work with Congress and the military to "finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."
The first associated policy was in 1916 when servicemen were presented with 'neutral blue' discharges. In 1947 they were discontinued and 'general' or 'undesireable' discharges were used instead. Under these systems, any servicemen who was thought to be homosexual, without committing a 'homosexual practice' was dishonourably discharged.
The DADT policy, and the later amendment of 'Don't Pursue, Don't Harrass' were first implemented by then-President Bill Clinton, unofficially spurred on by the brutal murder of gay US Navy officer Allen R Schindler Jr. In Clinton's presidential campaign he'd promised that all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation would be allowed to serve openly in the US Military. The policy at this time followed the 1982 Department of Defense Directive 1332.14, saying it was military policy that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service."
In a 2008 poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News, 75% of Americans - including 80% of Democrats, 75% of independents, and 66% of conservatives - said that openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the military. A 2006 international poll of military members found that 66% of respondents who had experience with gays or lesbians in their unit said that the presence of gay or lesbian unit members had either no impact or a positive impact on their personal morale.
The DADT policy has recently come to light under Obama's presidency: during his presidency-campaign he advocated its repeal, and most recently during Obama's State of the Union Address on 27th January, 2010, he stated that he will work with Congress and the military to "finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."
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