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LGBT+ History Month, 2022

The celebration of LGBT+ History Month this February, we take a look into the LGBT+ history regarding 17th-18th Century Pirates.


Amongst Historians it is widely considered that homosexuality was common in the male-dominated world of piracy. However not just between men - also women. Famously between Pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who it is thought that the two may most probably have been bisexual or lesbians.


The idea many Pirates were gay is reinforced from historical accounts of the renowned same-sex civil union amongst Pirates known as ‘Matelotage’. Matelotage was an economic partnership, where 'matelots' would agree to share their incomes, and inherit their partner's property in the case of their death. They would also pledge to protect and fight alongside each other in battle and otherwise act in the other's interest. Sometimes these Matelotage’s were fraternal but also certainly sometimes they were sexually romantic.


Arguably three of the most infamous Pirates, Captain “Calico Jack” Rackham, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, were known to have a romantic/sexual three-way relationship which resulted in two separate pregnancies. It’s fair to say that if relationships like this were between some of the most feared Pirates of a generation, there is no doubt homosexuality was accepted amongst many Pirate Ships - a people who already sailed outside the law regardless and against all social norms.

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