User:Charliewerth/Anti-LGBT curriculum laws in the United States

Early Colonial America
The stigmatization of same-sex relationships has not always been negative. Much of the anti-LGBTQ attitudes and legislation stem from moral opposition to homosexuality and non-conforming gender identities. Many of these moral oppositions are tied to religious and cultural beliefs, which contribute heavily to these sentiments.

Early Colonial America, while attitudes on same-sex sexual relationships were discouraged, they were as condemned as other acts like adultery. Negative stigma towards same-sex relationships was not as severe, which allowed romantic friendships, especially between men to flourish in the American colonies. Richard Godbeer's book, The Overflowing of Friendship, challenges the idea that men and women are solely attracted to either men or women, but experience romantic friendships with each other. The book especially examines men in sentimental and loving relationships, whether they were sexual relationships is up to speculation, but the letters examined between men in colonial and revolutionary America shows the lack of anti-gay sentiment during this period.