The history of queer love is a rich and diverse tapestry that spans centuries of human experience, from ancient Greece to modern-day San Francisco. But despite this richness, the majority of historical research on queer love focuses on elite figures whose lives are well documented and accessible to scholars. This leaves a gap in our understanding of how ordinary people experienced romantic love and desire throughout time. Enter the Queer Love Letters Through History project. The project features translated and reproduced letters between historical queer lovers—adding archival depth and emotional resonance to its content. These real-life exchanges connect modern readers to the lived, often hidden, erotic past.
One example is a letter from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley to her partner Percy Bysshe Shelley. In it, she writes about their deep connection and longing for each other during their travels abroad. She describes their shared passion, saying "You have awakened emotions within me which have no names." The letter also speaks to the challenges they faced as outsiders in society at large, writing "We live in a world where even our closest friends don't understand our bond." Another example is a letter from writer Virginia Woolf to her partner Vita Sackville-West. In it, she expresses her feelings of jealousy and possessiveness toward Sackville-West, saying "I am so jealous of your success. I want to be you when I grow up." The letter reveals the complexities of their relationship and the intense emotions they felt towards one another.
These letters not only provide an intimate glimpse into the personal lives of these two couples but also offer valuable insights into the broader social context in which they were living. For example, Mary and Percy's correspondence reflects the turbulent political climate of early 19th century England, with references to revolutionary movements and the ongoing fight for women's rights. Similarly, Virginia and Vita's letters shed light on the shifting cultural attitudes towards gender identity and sexuality in the early 20th century.
The project is an important step forward in queer historical scholarship, opening up new perspectives on how ordinary people experienced romance and desire throughout history. It helps us see that love knows no boundaries, and that queer people have always been a part of our cultural fabric. By sharing these stories, we can challenge stereotypes about queerness and celebrate the diverse ways that people have expressed themselves over time.