ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of homosexuality

Hi there, kiddo! You asked about the history of homosexuality, so let me explain it to you in a very simple way.

Homosexuality means being attracted to people of the same sex. This is something that has been around for a very long time, even in ancient times. In some cultures, it was celebrated and accepted, while in others it was considered taboo and even illegal.

In ancient Greece, for example, it was quite normal for men to have relationships with other men. They even had a special word for it - "erastes" was the older male lover, and "eromenos" was the younger male partner. People didn't think it was weird or wrong, and it was often portrayed in their art and literature.

In Rome, however, things were different. While there were some people who were attracted to the same sex, it was against the law and could lead to punishment, like being exiled or even killed.

As time went on, homosexuality continued to be both accepted and condemned in different parts of the world. In some places, it was seen as a natural part of life, while in others it was considered a sin or a disease.

Things started to change in the 20th century, when people started to fight for gay rights. They wanted to be able to love who they wanted without being discriminated against or punished. It was a long, hard struggle, but eventually, more and more countries started to legalize homosexual relationships and recognize them as equal to heterosexual relationships.

Today, we still have a long way to go to fully accept and support the LGBTQ+ community, but compared to the past, we have come a long way! Love is love, no matter who it's between.