1800s Archives - Q Spirit

Gay saint John Henry Newman and his “earthly light” Ambrose St. John shared romantic friendship

by Kittredge Cherry | | Feb 16-29, Oct 1-15, Saints

John Henry Newman, a 19th-century British scholar, theologian and cardinal, was canonized by the Pope as a Roman Catholic saint in 2019 amid widespread speculation that he was gay. Newman’s feast day is Oct. 9 in the Roman Catholic church, Feb. 21 in the Episcopal...

Black Madonna of Czestochowa becomes lesbian defender Erzuli Dantor

by Kittredge Cherry | | Aug 15-31, Saints

The Black Madonna of Czestochowa, one of the most famous Catholic icons, is the model for a Haitian Vodou goddess who protects lesbians. Traditional images of Erzulie Dantor, the Vodou defender of lesbians, are based on the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, whose feast...

Homosexuality of Jesus explored by 18th-century philosopher Jeremy Bentham

by Kittredge Cherry | | June 1-15, Saints

Biblical arguments for LGBTQ rights and a queer Jesus may seem like new ideas, but they were pioneered about 200 years ago by an influential British philosopher — in writings that were never published until the 21st century. Philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748...

Uganda Martyrs raise questions on religion and LGBTQ rights

by Kittredge Cherry | | June 1-15, Saints

Tough questions about homosexuality, religion and LGBTQ rights are raised by the 45 Uganda Martyrs whose feast day is June 3. In 2024 Uganda’s Constitutional Court upheld one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, including the death penalty for “aggravated...

Rosa Bonheur: Cross-dressing painter honored “androgyne Christ”

by Kittredge Cherry | | Artists, May 15-31, Saints

Rosa Bonheur, the most famous female painter of the 19th century, was a queer cross-dresser who honored what she called the “androgyne Christ.” She had two consecutive long-term relationships with women. Her 200th birthday is March 16, 2022. She died on May 25, 1899....

The Two Rebeccas: Queer black pair founded Shaker religious community in 1800s

by Kittredge Cherry | | May 15-31, Saints

Preacher Rebecca Cox Jackson and her longtime companion Rebecca Perot were queer African American women who founded a Shaker religious community in Philadelphia in the 1800s. Known as “the two Rebeccas,” they lived together as ministry partners for more than 30 years...

Christina Rossetti: Queer writer of Christmas carols and lesbian poetry

by Kittredge Cherry | | April 16-30, Saints

Christina Georgina Rossetti was a 19th-century English poet whose work ranged from Christmas carols to sensuous lesbian love poetry. A devout Christian who never married, she has been called a “queer virgin” and “gay mystic.” Her feast day is April 27 on the Church of...

William Dorsey Swann: From slavery to queer freedom in 1880s as America’s first drag queen

by Kittredge Cherry | | April 1-15, Saints

Born into slavery, William Dorsey Swann became the first American to self-identify as a “queen of drag,” He battled police in a cream satin gown when they raided a drag ball almost a century before the Stonewall uprising. Swann was the first American to lead a queer...

Anne Lister had historic lesbian church wedding in 1834

by Kittredge Cherry | | March 16-31, Saints

Historical lesbian Anne Lister married Ann Walker on March 30, 1834 at Holy Trinity Church in York, England. It is considered the first recorded lesbian wedding in the history of Britain and perhaps even the world. Her wedding anniversary falls right before the...

Charles de Foucauld: Saint of the Sahara had gay connections | Canonized May 15, 2022 by Pope

by Kittredge Cherry | | Dec 1-15, Saints

Charles de Foucauld was a French priest and desert hermit in early 20th-century Algeria who had gay connections. He is one of 10 new saints canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022. His feast day is Dec. 1. Sometimes called the saint of the Sahara, he created the...