Was benjamin franklin gay

Benjamin Franklin is part of gay history news. Benjamin Franklin, who recommended von Steuben to Washington, played up his qualifications. Due to social and official discrimination, though, most of their stories have gone untold.

Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian military man hired by George Washington to whip the Continental Army into shape during the darkest days of the Revolutionary Waris known for his bravery and the discipline and grit he brought to the American troops.

But historical homosexual relationships were actually common. But romantic relationships between men were widely tolerated until the 19th century, and only in the early 20th century did the U. Was Benjamin Franklin gay? Was Betsy Ross stitching a sapphic revolution?

When von Steuben arrived in camphe was appalled by the conditions the soldiers had been fighting under, and immediately set to work drilling soldiers with strict Prussian techniques. Gay men have always been part of the American military. Did you know that Paul Revere didn't ride alone, and there were women on the Revolutionary War battlefields?

He is now considered instrumental in helping the Americans win the Revolutionary War. When the war ended, Baron von Steuben was granted U. After the war, von Steuben legally adopted both men— a common practice among gay men in an age before same-sex marriage was legal.

He also downplayed rumors that the baron had been dismissed from the Prussian military for homosexuality. Was Alexander Hamilton bisexual? Find out more about the war's lesser-known patriots. In an era before gay marriage or open pride, military men fell in love, formed passionate friendships and had same-sex encounters.

With his strict drills, showy presence and shrewd eye for military strategy, he helped turn them into a military powerhouse. Historians also think he was homosexual—and served as an openly gay man in the military at a time when sex between men was punished as a crime.

Benjamin Franklin Gay 1882 : Benjamin Franklin: Smuggler & Scandal Fixer Von Steuben returned to Paris, and Franklin had a choice here — and he decided von Steuben’s expertise was more important to the colonies than his

As Inspector General, he taught the army more efficient fighting techniques and helped instill the discipline they so sorely needed. Washington approved of von Steuben. Baron Friedrich von Steuben was known for his bravery and the discipline and grit he brought to the American troops.

He became close to William North and Benjamin Walker, aides-de-camp who seem to have been involved in their own romantic relationship, and lived with them for two years in camp. Learn more about these queer patriots and their straight allies. As historian William E.

But he was gay, and homosexuality was viewed as a criminal aberration by many of his peers. They lived together, managed his precarious finances and inherited his estate when he died in When von Steuben died, he inherited his library and some money.

It worked, and the drill manual he wrote for the army is still partially in use today. Read this article from the Washington Blade, your gay news online source. He was a strict drillmaster, but he also socialized with the troops. After being fired, von Steuben bounced from job to job.

Meanwhile, von Steuben proved himself a heroic addition to the army. Benjamin Franklinwho recommended von Steuben to Washington, played up his qualifications. He also downplayed rumors that the baron had been dismissed from the Prussian military for homosexuality.