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On Queer Street: A Social History Of British Homosexuality, 1895-1995
From the Back Cover:
Long before Oscar Wilde 'corrupted and debauched the morals' of his young lovers, homosexual men were finding their own place in society. Later, as homoerotic 'ladlove' was celebrated in fiction and poetry by A E Housman, E M Forster and others, gay writers and artists hid their sexuality behind a glittering and thinly veiled social image. Yet the unspoken tolerance of homosexuality that continued and strengthened during the World Wars turned to persecution in post-war Britain, and gay men once again found themselves living with a dangerous secret that would take decades to find acceptance.
Hugh David traces the homosexual experience from its struggle with Victorian morality through the decriminalization of homosexual acts in 1967 to the end-of-the-century ravages of HIV and AIDS. Frank and often funny, he weaves accounts from 'ordinary' gay men with those of the famously queer to produce a vivid social history of homosexual life.
'David's quest has been to delve into what people really thought – and, more importantly, what they actually did. He is a generous host to many voices, his aim being to let his guests tell their own story'
MATTHEW PARRIS, 'Sunday Times'
"A fluid, occasionally acid account of the modern gay psyche"
ROGER CLARKE, 'Independent Long Weekend'
"Fascinating"
CHARLES OSBORNE, 'Sunday Telegraph'
Long before Oscar Wilde 'corrupted and debauched the morals' of his young lovers, homosexual men were finding their own place in society. Later, as homoerotic 'ladlove' was celebrated in fiction and poetry by A E Housman, E M Forster and others, gay writers and artists hid their sexuality behind a glittering and thinly veiled social image. Yet the unspoken tolerance of homosexuality that continued and strengthened during the World Wars turned to persecution in post-war Britain, and gay men once again found themselves living with a dangerous secret that would take decades to find acceptance.
Hugh David traces the homosexual experience from its struggle with Victorian morality through the decriminalization of homosexual acts in 1967 to the end-of-the-century ravages of HIV and AIDS. Frank and often funny, he weaves accounts from 'ordinary' gay men with those of the famously queer to produce a vivid social history of homosexual life.
'David's quest has been to delve into what people really thought – and, more importantly, what they actually did. He is a generous host to many voices, his aim being to let his guests tell their own story'
MATTHEW PARRIS, 'Sunday Times'
"A fluid, occasionally acid account of the modern gay psyche"
ROGER CLARKE, 'Independent Long Weekend'
"Fascinating"
CHARLES OSBORNE, 'Sunday Telegraph'
305 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 22, 2019
A very good book, I loved the personal accounts.
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October 9, 2021It starts with "I once kissed a man who'd once been kissed by Lord Alfred Douglas."
This is an interesting read precisely because it's a queer history written in the mid-nineties, about the 20th century, against a backdrop of section 28 and HIV and AIDS. Does it really talk about bisexuality and trans history? Not particularly. I think it leans a little bit too far towards the "we just want queer people to be just like the straights" which is a valid perspective, but it's not the only perspective. Despite this, really interesting.
This is an interesting read precisely because it's a queer history written in the mid-nineties, about the 20th century, against a backdrop of section 28 and HIV and AIDS. Does it really talk about bisexuality and trans history? Not particularly. I think it leans a little bit too far towards the "we just want queer people to be just like the straights" which is a valid perspective, but it's not the only perspective. Despite this, really interesting.
February 13, 2026
Really, really wonderful book. The highlights are the rich oral histories which are personal, immersive, sometimes sad but often very funny. I particularly enjoyed the littering of gay poems, songs and literature throughout. A 10/10 read for me and definitely the book I've shared the most quotes and andecdotes from that I've read recently. A great overview of British gay history, especially a look into the lives of ordinary people.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews