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Dexter asked this question about Memoirs of Hadrian:
Why is this book dubbed as gay?
Nente It might be because Antinous was an important character for the gay community way before Yourcenar even. Hadrian really managed to make him famous, af…moreIt might be because Antinous was an important character for the gay community way before Yourcenar even. Hadrian really managed to make him famous, after all.
But I would say that Hadrian, living in the age before the advent of a dominant religion that hated most kinds of sex and certainly all kinds that do not lead directly to reproduction, didn't have to identify as gay (or bi?). When any mode of sexuality is considered okay, you do not need to defend yours and make it a major part of your identity. I might miss something important here, being straight myself, but surely this would be the ideal social attitude.(less)
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Memoirs of Hadrian
by Marguerite Yourcenar
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