In this film, Professor Matt Cook discusses some of the ways that language has changed about the LGBTQ+ community and why researchers have needed to approach their studies in this area from a variety of angles. Language changes and what might be described as LGBTQ+ retrospectively or through key indicators in the past may not always be obvious. It is important to have an open mind when we look at the histories that he describes as being ‘not of the norm’ or appearing ‘queer’ meaning simply different. Having an open mind also allows the history to be revealed in all its intricacies and different perspectives.

The language around same-sex desire has changed over time just as different societies attitudes to it have. This has had an impact on what is considered acceptable in society and what is not. Passionate friendships are accepted in many periods of history and some of those may have been LGBTQ+ while others were not. Navigating those as scholars is both fascinating and sometimes difficult.