An exploration of same-sex sexuality and how history has navigated the acceptance of queer people, Dr Harry Tanner’s debut book sees him drawing on his personal background of evangelical Christianity and his expertise in Ancient Greece, a subject in which he earned his PhD. Thoughtfully blending history with reflection, Tanner begins by recounting his own life as a queer teenager in his foreword. “I no longer thought that homosexuality was a sin,” he writes, “but I still wanted to know why Western culture believed it was.”
Despite being a work of non-fiction, the book is surprisingly all-consuming, evoking the imagination through its remarkable storytelling and recounting of both history and myth – a testament to Tanner’s writing. Geographically, he takes readers across regions of Greece in an engaging and accessible manner: spanning Archaic Greece, including Megara, Lesbos and Sparta, and examining how these regions differed in their views. (Megara was largely in favour of same-sex love, while it became forbidden in Sparta.)
We are taken on a journey through the beliefs and experiences of a wide range of individuals, from philosophers such as Plato to Herakles and his heroic ilk. Tanner’s focus isn’t strictly upon Ancient Greece, despite what the cover may suggest. From the first Christians and accounts of Jesus, he raises thought-provoking questions and shares fascinating stories (same-sex love letters written on church walls, transgender monks and the much-asked question, “was Jesus pro-gay?”) – making for a wide-ranging account of contrasting experiences, intolerance, acceptance, rumours and myth. Relatively modern names like Oscar Wilde are given their due alongside the likes of celebrated Lesbos poet Sappho, too.
While the shift from Ancient Greece to the Eastern Mediterranean and early Christianity can occasionally feel abrupt, briefly pulling the reader away from the narrative established in earlier chapters, Tanner’s vivid storytelling and engaging approach quickly re-establish the book’s central thread, ensuring the broader argument never loses momentum. Readers unfamiliar with the intricacies of ancient societies need not worry – the author navigates his explanations clearly and thoughtfully as if telling a story, making complex subjects digestible while still encouraging readers to question the same things he does.
Subcultures are discussed alongside themes of authority and oppression in relation to the dynamics of the ancient world. In Greece, for example, same-sex relationships were often only considered socially acceptable if there was a dominant and subordinate partner within the relationship. On the matter of authority, Tanner explores the use of slaves, queer sex as an expression of power and dominance, the potential for this to be weaponised – and how such dynamics may have contributed towards later manifestations of prejudice.
Tanner also questions how age is interpreted through translation in accounts of same-sex relationships. References to ‘boys’, he ventures, may not have meant young males, rather being akin to our non-literal use of ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend’, or affectionate language like ‘baby’. In this, he acknowledges that many ancient contexts did involve relationships with younger partners and clear age hierarchies.
The Queer Thing About Sin is an insightful, thoroughly researched read. By blending personal reflection with historical examples, Tanner succeeds in making complex discussions around sexuality, religion and history accessible and compelling. His passion for the subject shines throughout, resulting in a book as engaging as it is educational.
