Out In The World - A Global Gay History

Across four programmes and a range of investigations which reach from the UK to India, Egypt, Greece and Native America, Richard discovers a far more complex and nuanced story than one of darkness into light.

In programme one, he confronts the challenges of uncovering such a history given that the idea of 'being gay' is a very modern phenomenon. Richard's quest takes him to Saqqara in Egypt and the contested tomb of two men, Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum. Some claim the two men were lovers - others say they were twin brothers. He explores the ideas of the 'sexologists' so crucial to the formation of modern gay identity. And he tells the story of Anne Lister, a 19th century Yorkshirewoman who had same sex relationships - but can we actually label her a lesbian?

In programme two, Richard explores the homosexuality of the ancients. He traces the transition from classical celebration to religious repression under the strictures of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Part three shifts the focus to the complex relationship between sexuality and gender as Richard surveys the so-called 'third sex' in places such as India, Indonesia, and the ladyboys of Thailand which confounded the understanding of 19th century imperialists.

Richard concludes the series by looking at the globalisation of gay identity. Some theorists argue that western states are now attempting to promote and impose ideas of gay liberation which are alien to the developing world. Richard asks whether this charge of latter-day imperialism is justified.

Producer: Laurence Grissell

First broadcast in September 2011.

Richard Coles on the modern construction of gay identity and links with the ancient world.

Alongside exploring familiar and, according to modern scholarship, hopelessly over-simplified images of pederastic relationships between older and younger men Richard travels to the plain of Chaeronea where the famous Sacred Band of Thebes fought and died. The Band, a military unit made up of same-sex lovers, were wiped out in combat against the Macedonian forces of Philip and his son Alexander in 338BCE. The Lion monument that overlooks the site of the slaughter speaks of an attitude towards the Sacred Band at odds with our modern feminised view of homosexuality.

Richard then explores the impact of the Abrahamic monotheistic religions beginning with the Mosaic laws of Judaism. The fierce prohibition that 'thou shalt not sleep with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination' has echoed down the centuries. Equally the Qur'an stories of Lot and his rejection by the people of Sodom appears unequivocal. But how did the early Islamic, Judaic and Christian societies react to these texts and what are we to make of the Hebrew and Arabic homoerotic poetry of the early medieval period?

Christianity seems to have been the most enthusiastic critic of same-sex relations but even here the judgements and images are rarely as clear cut as the Biblical call for the death sentence for transgressors.

Producer: Tom Alban

First broadcast in September 2011.

Richard Coles on the ancient Greek culture where homosexuality was part of a social code.

When the European nations went out into the world during the era of colonial expansion, they found a bewildering and - to them - shocking array of sexual behaviours. In many societies, gender rather than sexuality took precedence - such as India's third-gender Hijras or the Native Americans' multiple genders.

As Richard finds out, the colonial authorities set about imposing western moral mores around the world - systematically destroying indigenous traditions which had existed for centuries. He concludes by taking the pulse of those societies in the post imperial era.

Producer: Laurence Grissell

First broadcast in September 2011.

Richard Coles looks at the conflict between sexuality and gender identity.

That creates enormous tension, given that some countries, particularly those in Sub-saharan Africa and with a predominantly Muslim culture, see this attitude as neo-colonial.

Richard talks to gay rights activists in Egypt, Greece, China, India and the United States about their interpretation of these changing attitudes. He also hears from those debating whether or not gay identity is really an effective way of moving forward in the face of the apparent impasse between human rights and religious and cultural beliefs.

Producer: Tom Alban

First broadcast in September 2011.

Examining the issues relating to gay rights as a measure of global human rights.