Oxford LibGuides: LGBTQ+ History Resources: Official Documents

Key Resources

US Department of Defense Reports
Transcripts

Below is a series of reports produced by the US government between 1984 and 2011, discussing the US Department of Defense's policies concerning Homosexuality. They are made available through the US Government Accountability Office.

[Cost of DOD Homosexual Exclusion Policy] (1984)
Defense Force Management: DOD's Policy on Homosexuality (1992)
Defense Force Management: Statistics Related to DOD's Policy on Homosexuality (1992)
Homosexuals in the Military: Policies and Practices of Foreign Countries (1993)
Military Personnel: Financial Cost and Loss of Critical Skills Due to DOD's Homosexual Conduct Policy Cannot Be Completely Estimated (2005)
Differing Scope and Methodology in GAO and University of California Reports Account for Variations in Cost Estimates for Homosexual Conduct Policy (2006)
Military Personnel: Personnel and Cost Data Associated with Implementing DOD's Homosexual Conduct Policy (2011)

Homosexual Crime
This is a transcript of a debate in the House of Lords in 1954 regarding criminal activity involving homosexuality. The debate also involves members of the chamber speaking against intentions to legalise homosexuality.
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey: MARGARET EYRES. Theft; grand larceny (to 1827). 20th February 1805
Trial account from 1805, describing the trial of Margaret Eyres for theft (grand larceny), resulting in a not guilty verdict. She is described as wearing men’s clothes (coat, waistcoat, and breeches).
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey: SARAH GEALS. Breaking Peace; wounding. 18th September 1865
Trial account from 1865, describing the trial of Sarah Geals for breaking the peace (wounding), resulting in a guilty verdict for which she served penal servitude. The trial concerns her being found for dressing as a man (by the name of William Smith) whilst at work as a clicker/cutter of boots and shoes. She is also described as living with a woman called Caroline and holding herself as a married man.
Prohibition On Promoting Homosexuality By Teaching Or By Publishing Material
This is a transcript of a debate in the House of Commons in 1988 regarding the prohibition on promoting homosexuality by teaching or by publishing material (more commonly referred to as Section 28).
Sexual Offences (No 2) Bill
This is a transcript of a debate in the House of Commons in 1967 concerning amendments to the Sexual Offences Bill of 1967 (known for legalising homosexual acts between two consenting adults over the age of twenty-one)
Shoemaker Libels a Butler, 1853
This is a newspaper report of a trail in which a man was convicted of libel for accusing another man of being a 'sodomite'.

LGBTQ+ History Resources: Official Documents

Introduction

Key Resources

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