The LGBT+ community has long been a disenfranchised community, which is unfortunate because many of their contributions have been “conveniently hidden” due to the prejudices of the time.
Until now.
One such example of these hidden figures is Alan Turing, who is considered by many as the father of theoretical computer science. Without him and his works, it would have taken us longer to figure out how to work out a QWERTY keyboard, much less figure out the Enigma code of the Nazis, which secured the Allies’s victory in the Second World War.
Yet despite his great contributions, he was still prosecuted simply for being who he was. Years later, Turing would be pardoned for his “crime” and had since been immortalized in films such as “The Imitation Game” starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.
In honor of the sacrifices and contributions of historical LGBT+ figures, here are some writing icons you may not know were also from the rainbow tribe:
1. Francis Bacon
Philosopher Francis Bacon is known for his contributions across various fields such as formulating the scientific method, producing several important works in English law such as The Elements of Common Laws of England, and creating a system for categorizing books in libraries.
Another fun fact about him is that he also served as Queen Elizabeth I’s legal advisor and is thought to have expressed sexual attraction to members of the same sex despite being married to a woman.
2. Michelangelo
Michelangelo was an artist who, to this day, needs little to no introduction. He is venerated for various important works, such as his mural on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the iconic sculpture, Pieta.
While we cannot be certain, it is widely speculated that Michelangelo was attracted to men based on his poems, including a long romantic poem dedicated to a handsome nobleman, Tommaso dei Cavalieri.
3. Oscar Wilde
Considered as one of the most controversial literary figures in history, Oscar Wilde is best known for penning the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray as well as other tales like The Happy Prince and Other Stories. Like Turing, Wilde was penalized for consensual homosexual acts but has since been pardoned years after his death under the “Turing Law”.
4. Virginia Woolf
Modernist author Virginia Woolf is remembered for being one of the first novelists to utilize the subjective stream of consciousness method, i.e., a writing technique where the reader can follow the thoughts and emotions of a narrative or character. Aside from her feminist and Sapphic themes in writing, the author is also known for her not-so-secret involvement with fellow writer Vita Sackville-West.
Hidden figures or not, the LGBT+ community has always existed regardless of whether history cared for them or not. While society has certainly improved for the better, we still mustn’t forget that other individuals from around the world aren’t so lucky, which is why it is crucial that we support these creators like some of our authors here at Typewriter Pub.
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Sources:
Banner source: <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/isometric”>Isometric vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com</a>
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084970/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bacon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo
