zedoktar
zedoktar t1_j6by7xz wrote
Reply to comment by angelojann in Dickens' David Copperfield: Were men more affectionate with each other in the 18th century? by angelojann
There was a push in the 1800s due to a conservative POS in parliament who got too much power and got out of control. Suddenly it was being harshly criminalized, and Oscar Wilde was one of the most prominent victims of this moral panic.
And yes religion as usual was a major factor.
zedoktar t1_j6byftv wrote
Reply to comment by angelojann in Dickens' David Copperfield: Were men more affectionate with each other in the 18th century? by angelojann
Also, it wasn't condemned at all in a lot of cultures prior to Christianity. For example the ancient Celts were so pansexual (and polyamourous) that even the Greeks and Romans were like "woah dial it back a notch."
Most of the negative attitudes towards it around the world can be traced back to Christian colonization.