In 1921 Britain, amidst various socio-political issues post-World War I, lawmakers introduced a bill to criminalize lesbianism under the guise of existing indecency laws. This would align with previous laws penalizing male 'gross indecency.' However, the House of Lords rejected the bill not for altruistic reasons, but because they believed making lesbianism illegal would paradoxically increase its prevalence. This moment reflects the complexities of social attitudes towards queer identities and the legislative attempts to regulate them, revealing both a misunderstanding and an acknowledgment of the societal forces at play.
The bill aimed to punish 'gross indecency' between women, reflecting society’s attempt to control queer identities while simultaneously acknowledging the futility of such efforts.
The House of Lords blocked the bill, reasoning that criminalizing lesbianism would only proliferate its existence among women, not extinguish it.
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