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Witchcraft and the Gay Counter-Culture
Arthur Evans' 1978 examination of the witch-hunts of the Middle Ages and Renaissance as they related to the status of gays and lesbians in heterocentric society. The work is the culmination of studies into the historic roots of sexism and homophobia which Evans first began as a member of the Radical Study Group within the GayLiberation Front in the years immediately following the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Evans' thesis is that homophobia as much as misogyny and classism were the basis of attempts by forces within the Church and State to eradicate all remnants of pagan folk religion in Europe between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries, as well as efforts to assimilate the pagan cultures of the Third World.
Evans follows an historic progression, from the earliest beginnings of pagan religions to the twentieth century. He covers the emergence of patriarchal cultures and militaristic states in ancient times, and shows a correlation between this and increasing restrictions on both the status of women and on homosexuality, showing a progression from the general acceptance of gays in the earliest civilizations to strict rules on the practice of male love in Greece to the first banning of homosexual relations by the Roman Senate in the second century BCE. Evans further shows how the ascetism, conformity, and homophobia of the Roman military did much to influence the development of Christianity. The sexism, homophobia, and anti-individualism of the patriarchal society of the Middle Ages is shown to be the driving force behind the persecution of religious heretics, accused witches, and rebellious peasants, with Evans noting that "buggery" and other charges of sexual deviancy were often placed against those who did not conform to the status quo, and that upsurges in the arrest, torture, and execution of homosexuals often coincided with upsurges in the arrest, torture, and execution of witches and heretics. Entering more recent centuries, Evans shows how their open acceptance of homosexuality and their libertarian attitudes had much to do with Third World cultures being the target of European assimilationists. Finally, he demonstrates how the United States' increasing militarism, especially during the Cold War, was a major influence on American society's hostile attitude toward homosexuals during much of its history.
Witchcraft and the Gay-Counterculture is not without its flaws. Evans bases his historic progression in part on the notion of the religion of Wicca having an unbroken lineage, one which even most members of the Wiccan community no longer hold. (Evans himself has since acknowledged that Wicca is in fact a modern attempt to revive the old pagan customs and beliefs.) One might also question his embrace of Marxist theories of socialism, especially considering that Marxist and Communist regimes in the last century had a record of brutal treatment of gay, lesbian, and transgendered persons. But his basic point remains valid. The insecurities those in power feel in their sexuality and personal worth have much to do with the persecution and demonizing of those who are accepting of themselves and their sexuality. Unable to realize their own lasting happiness and fulfillment, they try to destroy the happiness and fulfillment of others.
Currently, Arthur Evans is working on a revisement of the book, to be titled The Lady Rises in the East.
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