Being Queer Was Illegal in Early America- Unless You Were This Guy
See the rest of J’s video here: https://youtu.be/bwoFajsD95k
Despite the revolutionary atmosphere in early America, homosexuality was still punishable by death. Though Founding Fathers knew of Steuben’s “proclivities,” they let Steuben continue to help them win. By contrast, British Army chaplain Robert Newburgh stood trial for homosexual conduct, and used the same ideals that inspired the American Patriots to defend his personal freedom.
This episode of Rogue History is part of PBS’ America@250 collection, celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary. Democracy is built on participation. Get involved at vote.org
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Rogue History
It’s been said that history is written by those in power. But what about the outlaws, outcasts, and rogues? What if they had their say? Rogue History, a digital series produced by PBS Digital Studios and PBS North Carolina, shakes the dust off the history books to unravel myths, unearth narratives, and discover fresh perspectives.
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@kellyravakhah3764
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
@TheAmazingLucas
@kimopuppy
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
That big triangular thing on Stuben's chest was a gift from his lover, a King. The King gave him more than he gave his own wife.
Von Steuben was 45 and traveled to America with a 17-year-old who was his translator. Washington knew Von Steuben was gay, and yet he still put him in charge of the Army.
America became a free nation because of a gay man named Baron Von Stueben
@thefisherking78
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
4:53 the irony that an outfit like that would scream GAYYYY in today's fashion 😂
@falcolf
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Yesss love the J. Draper collab!!!❤❤❤
@McsMark1
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Who cares.
@nells7687
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Nothing like native erasure to build up the queer community.
Yall know you can do both right? There are even indigenous queer identities you could explore.
@clavichord
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Incorrect, the concept of queer, gay, lgbtq+ was unknown at that time. However, it was illegal to have sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman and it was illegal to commit sodomy, as per the Bible. However, it was not illegal to marry a woman under the age of 18 and have offspring with her.
It would be great if PBS could actually produce history documentaries which seek to explain the past, and not look at the past through a current ideological lens. Because in not doing so, historic documentaries do not seek to explain the past, but become mere tools of ideological propaganda
@whiskeybrown262
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Kevin Roberts. Project 2025. Diabolical
@garylpretty
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Great story. I heard of these folks, but never had the background story. I thank you for giving that song some reference.
@AludraEltaninAltair
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Thus was SUCH a cool pair of videos!!!!!!!!
@michaelmccanlas9165
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
wasnt even just that macs werent manly, it was also that they were fenianly. Tinker travelers made fancy snuff boxes, big buckles were gael brogue style with brilliant durks and swords. The fashion reminded the crown of rebels. this all non anglo saxon fashion, let's not forget they made kilts illegal.
@lazlomattachine8334
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
What a great video-
@anubisfreak418
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
That was deep. I would love to see one on a famous neurodivergent.
@C480-q7y
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
all them so called founding fathers(european colonizers) were cross dressers
@angelradiotarot
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
They wore hose, wigs, rouge, and short pants… but nobody was a freak. Suuuuuuurre
@FierceFashion
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
02:19 Prince Henry was definitely queer rocking that cheetah print 😂😂 The Original Cheetah Girl YASS!
@RafaelSoltren
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
PBS. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. What a joke……..
@RickBerg-b9k
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Boring
@joanthompson5038
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Do you think this has anything to do with Mayor Pete being falsely reported to CPS?
@RickBerg-b9k
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Who decided that the word “queer” was ok?
@akmartinez419
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
As a veteran and an NCO, we learned extensively about Barron Von Steuben, yet we never learned this part!
@mittyka752
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Thanks for making this interesting made it easy to focus and understand 👍
@14Penfold88
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
There was no such thing as “queer” in colonial times. That whole thing was invented by the jews to subvert the west
@ogskullomania3119
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
The blue book made all the army work
Made a report about him
In BNOC
@c_cma1971
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
🟢 Hello from Bucharest, Romania – a big underrated city in Europe.
@CherokeeFlyerKSBP
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
WTF is wrong with you using that derogatory word for gays and lesbians? Do better PBS.
@vansicklestudios
June 27, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Is this why Jack Sparrow was constantly shouting Bugger? 😅