Closeted heroes and hidden figures—you bet we’ve got them! History isn’t just a list of dates and dusty old men in togas but a vibrant, colorful tapestry of individuals with stories as diverse as the people who lived them. Among these tales, we find narratives from the LGBTQ+ community, often concealed behind the rigid societal norms of their time.
So buckle up, dear reader, as we journey back in time to uncover the truth about 12 historical personas who, despite their heroic deeds and remarkable contributions, felt compelled to keep their homosexuality under wraps. The past is about to get a little more colorful.
Tchaikovsky
Known for creating beautiful symphonies and ballet scores, it’s said Tchaikovsky was a man who had to hide his true self due to the homophobic laws of 19th-century Russia.
According to Wikipedia, biographers widely acknowledge Tchaikovsky’s homosexu@lity, as he embraced the companionship of other men in his circle, openly associating with them and forging professional connections.
Leonardo da Vinci
This Renaissance polymath was charged with sod@my in 1476. Though he was acquitted, it’s presumed he kept his sexu@lity under wraps for the rest of his life.
HistoryExtra states that on that fateful day of April 9, 1476, a young Leonardo da Vinci found himself entangled in an accusation of sod@my. At the tender age of 24, he was named among the four men alleged to have had intimate relations with the 17-year-old Jacopo Saltarelli. History never fails to captivate with its intriguing tales.
Oscar Wilde
Despite being married with kids, Wilde had a secret life that unfortunately led him to be convicted of gross indecency in 1895. His wit couldn’t save him from a society that refused to understand.
According to The History Channel, in 1895, the scandalous affair between Oscar Wilde, a literary icon and unapologetic homosexu@l, and a British aristocrat captured the public’s attention. However, their relationship led to a devastating consequence for Wilde, as he faced trial for gross indecency. It’s important to note that during that era, homosexu@lity was considered a criminal offense in England. Nonetheless, Wilde’s writing journey began in the 1870s as a college student at Dublin’s Trinity University, where he first unleashed his poetic prowess.
Alan Turing
The father of modern computing was also forced to hide his homosexu@lity. When discovered, he was subjected to chemical castr@tion and died under suspicious circumstances.
According to Wikipedia, in 1952, Turing endured prosecution for his homosexu@lity, a moment that forever altered his life. He courageously embraced a procedure known as chemical castr@tion, involving hormone treatment with DES, to appease societal norms.
Michelangelo
Although the brilliant artist wrote passionate sonnets for his male lover, his intimate life was largely kept secret. According to The Guardian, Michelangelo’s gay sexu@l identity, though abundantly evident in both visual and written records, remained a contentious topic for far too long. Centuries of prudishness and bias obscured the blatant truth, just as after his passing, modest draperies were added to conceal the explicitness of his most potent n@des.
Marlene Dietrich
This German-American screen siren had affairs with both men and women but kept her relationships with women a secret.
According to The New York Times, Marlene was a master of secrets, a juggler of lovers, and a weaver of lies. Her daughter revealed that she had embraced intimacy with practically everyone. And as for her supposedly “faithful” spouse, Rudi, he comfortably resided with his mistress, turning a blind eye.
James I
Yes, the King of England himself! It’s alleged that he had relationships with men, but his position kept these liaisons discreet.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Though married to President FDR, Eleanor had a close relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok. Many of their letters suggest a more profound relationship than mere friendship.
Rock Hudson
This Hollywood heartthrob had to hide his orientation to maintain his image as a leading man. NPR states that Hudson led a captivating dual existence—a Hollywood heartthrob concealing his true identity as a gay man.
Cary Grant
Another Hollywood star, Grant, lived with a man for over a decade but kept his sexu@lity under wraps, even marrying women to maintain appearances.
According to The Daily Mail, Hollywood icon Cary Grant led a secret life, concealing his truth and sharing a hidden love affair with his male costume designer in the bustling city of New York. This captivating revelation comes to light in a groundbreaking new documentary.
Freddie Mercury
The Queen frontman was famously private about his sexu@lity, only coming out publicly shortly before his death.
The Biography states that Freddie Mercury captivated audiences worldwide with his incredible talent. While never publicly confirming his sexu@lity, he navigated relationships with both men and women, keeping his personal life veiled in mystery. Perhaps influenced by the era he lived in, Freddie Mercury chose not to openly discuss his sexu@lity, leaving fans forever intrigued by his enigmatic persona.
Margaret Wise Brown
The author of “Goodnight Moon” had a long-term relationship with a female poet but never publicly acknowledged her orientation.
According to The Daily Mail, Brown, a fascinating figure, chose not to marry, although she was briefly engaged. She embarked on a passionate affair with the married man William Gaston, indulged in a summer romance with fellow author Preston Schoyer, and, in 1940, entered into a profound and enduring relationship with Blanche Oelrichs. Blanche, a talented feminist poet, playwright, and actress, also happened to be the former wife of the legendary John Barrymore.
Each of these individuals made significant contributions to history and culture but had to conceal a part of their identity due to the societal norms of their time. It’s important to remember them not just for their achievements but also for the struggles they faced due to their sexuality.
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