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LGBTQ Individuals and Academics of the Renaissance Period
The Renaissance period is generally defined as the years between the 14th and the 17th century that witnessed a tremendous surge in the interest, growth and importance of culture, the arts, and science in society, particularly in Western Europe. It emerged from the Medieval period after the Black Plague had devastated much of the population in the region as a re-awakening of the creative aspects of humankind. The Renaissance period eventually gave way to the modern age in society.
Given its focus on arts and culture, it is perhaps no surprise that the LGBTQ community was active during this time. This occurred despite the norms of society which continued to be shaped by religious belief and were generally averse to homosexuality. Nevertheless, wealthy cities were renowned for their practice of same-sex love, and artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Buonarroti Michelangelo gave the world images with homoerotic expression, as did George Frederic Handel in music and Sir Philip Sidney in poetry. Homosexuality became a synonym for a great civilization and open-mindedness in cosmopolitan areas. Coincidentally, it was also the period of the creation of the private bedroom, which allowed more privacy and intimate relations to develop.
There are several contemporary expert scholars of the LGBTQ presence in the Renaissance. Most notable are Alan Bray of Great Britain (who shot to fame with his definitive book on the subject, 'Homosexuality in Renaissance England' (1982)) and Gary Ferguson of the United States.
To read more, see the list and access their fascinating biographies CLICK HERE
Directory of past 'Did You Know?' Articles See Here
The goal of QueerBio.com is to be the definitive online biographical reference source for the international LGBTQ community. Its database lists over 15,000 contemporary and historical figures who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, two-spirit, or gender fluid (LGBTQ) and includes artists, sports figures, politicians, entertainers, business leaders, academics, activists, and more. The database is widely international in scope and is an ideal source for research and analysis with full search and sort functionality.
The mission is to inspire, educate, and motivate all generations of LGBTQ individuals and others through a collective knowledge of this international community.
Managing Editors: Mark S. Bonham, Connie Bonello, Gordon Dunbar
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To search for an individual from the database of over 15,000 biographies, simply type the name in the Search Box located in the top right hand corner of this Home Page and click on GO.
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To search for LGBTQ individuals with a common characteristic (examples: all Nobel Prize winners, all Writers, all Politicians, all Tony Award winners, all Olympic Gold medal winners, all individuals of a specific nationality) simply type the characteristic in the Search Box located in the top right hand corner of this Home Page and click on GO. Results of your search will be displayed alphabetically by Last Name. A second Search Box will be displayed for you to search within the database of individuals with that common characteristic.
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Annual Awards established in 2007 to recognize individuals or groups that have made a significant contribution to the advancement and education of human rights issues surrounding sexual education. Click here to find out more about the Bonham Centre Awards, past recipients, and present nominees.
Books Available From QueerBio.Com
A Path to Diversity: LGBTQ Participation in the Working World (Mark S. Bonham, 2017) investigates the current state of employment markets around the world for the LGBTQ community. Included is a discussion of equality in the workplace and why it is important to both the employer and employee, the wage gap, which professions are attractive to LGBTQ individuals and why, and the role of unions and government legislation. A survey of seventy five professions provides a status report for each, and seventy two biographies of influential LGBTQ professionals from around the world is included. 242 pages
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Notables: 101 Global LBGTQ People Who Changed the World (Mark S. Bonham, 2015) reveals a group of select global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals whose accomplishments in their profession changed the world in some relevant way. Included are founders of various social movements, innovators in sports, leaders in business and politics, explorers and discoverers, instigators in religious movements, thinkers in philosophy, infamous villains, creators of new academic fields of study, and risk takers in the arts, culture, and entertainment worlds. 212 pages.
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Champions: Biographies of Global LGBTQ Pioneers (Mark S. Bonham, 2014) reveals a group of select artists, writers, politicians, lawyers, sports figures, activists, and religious figures from around the world who have helped shape the history of the LGBTQ community. Presented in a convenient notebook format. 114 pages.
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