Enkidu and Gilgamesh: a homoromantic couple from Mesopotamiam myth

Although some (queerphobic?) scholars had tried to dismiss their relationship as a "bromance", the text of the Gilgamesh epic, which dates back to the 2nd millenium BCE, has some undeniably queer aspects:  The phyesical apperance of Enkidu, a hairy, long-haired man, was compared to both that of a goddess and a of god, and Gilgamesh described his attraction to Enkidu as "like the love of woman".

Read more at Enkidu and Gilgamesh – homoromantic soulmates | Patreon

Non-binary gender and same sex love in South Asian traditions: a list of documentaries and non-fiction books

Meet some South Asian scholars and content creators who present LGBT stories from contemporary life, history and tradition.

From Al-Andalus and Qing China - 2 tales of lovesick men pining for male beloveds

 Parallels in homoromantic stories recorded in 11th century Muslim Spain and 18th century China.

Transgender and nonbinary heroes serving our larger society

More than 10 stories, spanning hundreds of years and 3 continents, about remarkable people who made significant contributions to larger society.  

These heroes happen to be transgender and/or nonbinary. Depending on where you live, you may have benefited from the courage, hard work and kindness of these individuals. Btw, November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance.
 

A FtM gender transition miracle in the 17th c. classic “Strange Tales of Liaozhai”

Is a modern scientific explanation available for the 1647 miracle tale "Changing into a man"? 

Btw, October 26 is Intersex Awareness Day.

Persian and Urdu homoromantic poetry from 13th-19th century South Asia

The intense spiritual bonds between Sufi masters in South Asia and their same-sex disciples have been expressed in homoromantic and homoerotic poetry. 

While it may not be appropriate to label these relationships using modern Western concepts of sexual orientation and romantic orientation, they can provide perspectives on the intersection between divine love and same-sex human love. The experience of holiness is not tied to heteronormativity.

Celebrate Pride Month with Trans Tabby and Enby Tabby!

Enjoy these designs on stickers, magnets and more!

Men who love men in the orbit of the 18th c. queer writer Yuan Mei

Born in 1716, poet and gastronome Yuan Mei was one of Qing Dynasty China’s most famous cultural influencers, known for his writings on gastronomy and his promotion of women poets. 

Numerous gay/bi/pan men, both obscure and famous, passed through the artistic circles of Yuan Mei. Learn more about the pansexual, polyamorous Yuan Mei and his non-heterosexual friends on our Patreon.  

Queer tales in the 17th century story collection “Strange Tales from Liaozhai”

17th c. Chinese folklorist Pu Songling collected close to 500 stories in “Strange Tales from Liaozhai", including at least a dozen tales with LGBTQIA+ characters 

Queer characters in the literary classics of China's Qing era

The best-known works of literature from the 17th-18th centuries attest to the presence of gay, bisexual, asexual and trans characters in Qing China.

Pansexual and bisexual emperors of the Han Dynasty, according to 1st c. BCE court historian Sima Qian

Pansexual and bisexual emperors of the Western Han era, up to the reign of Emperor Wu of Han

Btw,  Bisexuality Awareness Week starts on Sep 16.

Enjoy more queer history and folklore on our Patreon: Queer Lore | Collection from Wolfberry Studio

The House of Cat Pride

How many pride flags can you find?

 

From 16th c. China and 21st c. India, two accounts of virtuous transgender mothers who protected children

Meet You Ruiniang from 16th c. China and Gauri Sawant  from 21st c. India, 2 transgender women who devoted themselves to their adoptive children, protecting them from cisgender predators.

The ducks in the picture are Lesser Whistling Ducks, a species present in the India subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia. Female and male ducks are similar in plumage.

Read more LGBTQ history on our Substack

Happy Mother's Day to the trans moms!

Zhang Yujing, trans masculine folk hero, honored by the Emperor of China in 1405

Zhang Yujing (a gender-neutral name) was born to Old Man Zhang of  Tongwei County in 1387. When their father wondered at the child’s pugilistic talent and disinterest in women’s work, Yujing told their father that they wanted to serve their country with martial arts and did not want to live as a girl. Old Man Zhang let Yujing live as a boy.  They became a local martial arts coach at age 15, and was selected for the National Academy at age 18.

Read more about their life at Zhang Yujing, trans masculine folk hero, honored by the Yongle Emperor in 1405

Share on Instagram.  Btw, March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility.

Homoerotic poetry from 8th-19th century West Asia

Since medieval times, poets have been writing about same-sex desire in Arabic, Kurdish, Persian and Turkish

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Zheng Banqiao, openly bisexual 18th century magistrate, honored with a shrine for disaster relief work

In 1750，Zheng Banqiao, magistrate of Wei County in Shandong, declared his bisexuality in an autobiographical essay after 4 years of winning peoples' hearts through his famine relief work.

Read more about the storied life of this eccentric, multi-talented character here. Zheng's legacy remains influential to this day; he inspired no less than 3 (straight-washed) TV series and feature films. 

17th century Chinese folktale with a bisexual protagonist

The story False Gods Wreak Havoc at Huaguang Shrine is recorded in Chapter 27 of Jingshi Tongyan (Stories to Caution the World), a collection of legends and folktales edited by 17th century writer Feng Menglong.

The protagonist is a bisexual youth named Wei who lived in Hangzhou during the Song Dynasty.

Btw, Bisexuality Awareness Week starts on September 16.

Traditional societies that recognized non-binary children

International Non-Binary People's Day in July 14.  Many traditional societies recognized non-binary children.

Celebrate Pride Month with Trans Tabby and Enby Tabby!

 Enjoy these designs on stickers, magnets and more!

Wulang Shen/Wutong Shen: 17th-18th century tales of pansexual incubi

Bringing you translations of 2 homoerotic supernatural tales from Feng Menglong’s 17th century work "The History of Passion".

By the way, May 24 is Pansexual Visibility Day