LGBT in the Ottoman Empire
So, a very long time ago there was a big empire called the Ottoman Empire. It was like a really big kingdom that had a lot of different people living in it.
Now, some of the people who lived in the Ottoman Empire liked people who were the same gender as them. For example, sometimes boys liked other boys instead of girls or sometimes girls liked other girls instead of boys. When this happens, we call it being gay.
Back then, being gay was not talked about in the open like it is now. People did not understand it very well and some people thought it was wrong. But, in the Ottoman Empire, being gay was not against the law.
Instead, people who were gay were expected to keep their feelings a secret and only talk to people they trusted about it. Sometimes, they might even keep it a secret from their friends and family because they were afraid of what might happen if people knew.
But, even though it was not against the law, being gay was not widely accepted in society. Most people did not understand it and didn't think it was okay. So, even though the Ottoman Empire did not have specific laws against being gay, people still faced discrimination and prejudice.
That's why it's important to be kind to everyone and accept people for who they are, no matter who they love. Even though things were different in the past, we can learn from history and try to make things better for everyone today.
Now, some of the people who lived in the Ottoman Empire liked people who were the same gender as them. For example, sometimes boys liked other boys instead of girls or sometimes girls liked other girls instead of boys. When this happens, we call it being gay.
Back then, being gay was not talked about in the open like it is now. People did not understand it very well and some people thought it was wrong. But, in the Ottoman Empire, being gay was not against the law.
Instead, people who were gay were expected to keep their feelings a secret and only talk to people they trusted about it. Sometimes, they might even keep it a secret from their friends and family because they were afraid of what might happen if people knew.
But, even though it was not against the law, being gay was not widely accepted in society. Most people did not understand it and didn't think it was okay. So, even though the Ottoman Empire did not have specific laws against being gay, people still faced discrimination and prejudice.
That's why it's important to be kind to everyone and accept people for who they are, no matter who they love. Even though things were different in the past, we can learn from history and try to make things better for everyone today.