65: Queer Love Letters Thru History

The Balut Kiki Project

How far have we come when it comes to being allowed to love whom we love, and to tell them we love them? Here are 3 moving love letters written by real-life queer personalities from the very distant past.
(1872) The first is a letter written by a 24-year old Bram Stoker (Dracula) to his literary idol Walt Whitman (Leaves of Grass). The letter remained unsent for four years. Finally, on Valentine’s Day of 1876, Stoker mustered enough courage to send said letter to the older Whitman.
(12th Century) The second is a hauntingly beautiful love letter written by one medieval 12th Century nun to another. This was initially published in the second edition of “Medieval Latin and the Rise of the European Love-Lyric,” compiled by Peter Dronke, 1968.
(1896) The last selection contains excerpts from the letter "De Profundis" which Oscar Wilde wrote to his young lover, Bosie (Lord Alfred Douglas) from prison. This fell into the hands of a pimp and was used by Bosie’s father to blackmail Wilde. It eventually contributed to Wilde’s conviction on charges of "gross indecency" and two years' imprisonment.
Readers:
CityBuoy, host, The Stories I Wish You Heard Podcast
Timmy General
Geoff
Special introduction by Ms. Freya Booth
CITATIONS:
https://www.themarginalian.org/2019/01/09/bram-stoker-walt-whitman-letter/
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/12/love-letters-12th-century-nuns-hauntingly-beautiful/
Excerpts from Wilde, O., & Ross, R. B. (1905). De Profundis. London: Methuen and Co.
I Am A Girl Who Wants Equality by Marsha Ramroop’s daughter
Music and Sound Effects:
Epidemic Sound, Red & Baldy Original Soundtracks, Ambient Feelings - Music Info: Sad Emotional Piano - One Hour Version Music Link
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