#do y'all remember gay-straight alliances? are those still a thing?

[quirkedupkicks]

my man kiri really thought he was shootin his shot there... don't worry bro, bakugou doesn't even know he has a secret to keep yet..

[revolutionary-demosthenes]

SO I have a couple things to say/ask. First off, what are your thoughts on GWash encouraging Hamilton and Laurens to share a tent? Like.. it could be taken as him saying "Hey, y'all are friends, right? And Hamilton hates /everyone/. Why not share this because you like each other and it's lower risk of Hamilton slitting someone's throat in the night." (there's more, I just don't have much room cause these ask boxes don't have very high word-count things).

(ask cont.) 

(Same anon from before) I just don't really see either of them confiding in Washington about same-sex relationships. I get that he treated all of his aides as family, but I also know of Hamilton's pessimistic views of the human race and his inability to trust others. I don't know much about Laurens but it just doesn't seem realistic that they'd talk to him about this. Avid "Lams" supporters are all like "Washington supported it! Gay rights! Wooooo" Just.. no it's not likely. (Still the same Anon) ANY WHO. I think it's great- what you're doing. Historians are so quick to brush it off as "homo social" or "not gay at all no exceptions". I love that you're analyzing things like this and making it /known/ that there were gay people back in the 1700's, too. Like they existed guys. Come on. Anyway, I was just curious about you're thoughts on that and I wanted to make it known that appreciate you and your extensive research. :)Sorry I'm just loading all of this on you. Just remembered what I originally wanted to ask about; How do you feel about John Church Hamilton burning or destroying the letters between his father and Laurens? I want to say that it's because they were explicit or something but, honestly, I think he was just trying to protect his father. (Still the same anon with Washington stuff and the'I love you you're the best' gushing)

*To be clear to my readers, everything above the cut is from the same anon who sent me several related question which I just pasted together.*

I haven’t seen primary evidence of Washington encouraging Laurens and Hamilton to share a tent specifically, which is a common misconception. They likely did share at some point, because space was really cramped and people had to share beds and tents out of necessity a lot. Although mostly the aides were at wherever the HQ was, with Washington, and those were mainly houses, I don’t think it is implausible that Washington would have encouraged Hamilton and Laurens sharing, because, as you said, they were (or at least appeared to be, though I assume you know my feelings on the full extent of their relationship) very good friends. However, I strongly doubt that even if he did do that, it was because of their romance. 

Gay rights are definitely something to “Woooo!” about, but I agree that isn’t what was happening there.

@thelittlelionofvalleyforge has a great post about the bed situation at Valley Forge/ Washington letting Hamilton and Laurens share here: https://thelittlelionofvalleyforge.tumblr.com/post/182794338506/did-washington-let-hamilton-and-laurens-share-a 

As you can see in the above post, there simply may not have been enough room for just Hamilton and Laurens to share a room/tent exclusively.

I agree that Washington likely did not know about the romantic aspect of Laurens and Hamilton’s relationship. People also use Baron Steuben as evidence for Washington being okay with homosexuality, but it seems much more likely to me that they just needed someone to shape up the army and didn’t care who it was as long as they did a good job. If Washington did know, (and there is no evidence to suggest he did) I would imagine it was because he caught them kissing or something, not because Hamilton and Laurens told him. And honestly he probably just didn’t have time to worry about possible romances, because there is a war going on. Like, Washington was worrying about a French alliance and winning battles. All he wanted was for his aides to get stuff done, you know?

I would not say that Hamilton disliked everyone (I think you were joking there,) but he certainly didn't have another friend on the same level as Laurens, and he (probably as a result of his upbringing) didn't trust easily (like you said.) I think that’s part of why the Laurens-Hamilton relationship was so important and special to them both. They trusted each other, something both of them had trouble doing.

How do I feel about John Church Hamilton’s censorship and destroying of parts of letters? I think it’s very easy to be pissed at him in modern times. But we’ve got to put it in the context of his time. Hamilton was outlived by basically all of his worst enemies, who already had plenty of conspiracies to use against him. Can you imagine what would’ve happened, if, for example, Thomas Jefferson got his hands on those letters? I do think that they were explicit, so I don’t think JCH saw it as destroying their love as much as protecting his father’s reputation, something that Hamilton himself went to extraordinary lengths to do. (read: Reynolds Pamphlet...) So JCH might’ve even thought he was doing what his father would’ve wanted. And maybe that is what Hamilton would’ve wanted. Who knows? Because these guys aren’t thinking that there would be people who want to know about their romance in the distant future. They are thinking “if this gets out my life will be ruined.” That isn’t fair of course, but it is the likely truth of that time period.

But if I could go back in time I would save those letters no hesitation. I’m not saying it isn’t incredibly frustrating that they were possibly destroyed/ censored (and to all the people who say John Laurens was straight, isn’t that alone basically confirmation of a romance? Why would JCH censor letters if they didn’t have something forbidden in them? What else do you think could possibly be in those letters that was taboo in the 1700s?) But considering how precarious Hamilton’s reputation already was, I think it’s understandable why JCH would censor/destroy them.

Thank you for these questions and your support! It means a lot to me. Also, if you do have a source for Washington encouraging Laurens and Hamilton to share a tent, could you share it with me? If you don’t though, no worries! Even without that, it is still interesting to think about how much Washington did/didn’t know about Laurens and Hamilton.

[tragicbooks]

34 hilarious, sad, perfect tweets that nail what small-town life is like for gay people.

1. As a gay person, growing up in a small town can have its downsides.

Being gay in a small town really sucks 😒😓

— Silver 🌈 (@mutineer__) March 13, 2017

2. It's tough.

I repeat: being gay in a small town sUCKS

— Silver 🌈 (@mutineer__) March 24, 2017

3. For starters, your gayness seems to be the one defining thing about you.

The fact that I'm the only person named Selvin in this town and still have to get "the gay one?" in sequence

— selvin (@fuckselvin) May 3, 2017

4. And it's even harder if there's something else that's "different" about you too.

I'm so in love with this picture. Also, reminder: disabled people are gay too. #Pride2017 http://pic.twitter.com/wJukSty3YX

— Elizabeth Jeannel🍍 (@Elizabethjbooks) June 10, 2017

Eternally relevant memo: LGBTQ people exist across all communities in every country on Earth (including small towns!).

5. You're constantly being asked "the question."

Church with my parents today. Small town, deep south. The term"Bachelor" will be used. "You ain't found a girl yet? #gay@LorenAOlsonMD

— James Ferguson (@gulfcoastferg) April 23, 2017

Not to mention its cousin: "You're still single?"

(*screams with rage into the abyss*)

6. Often you're either desperate to hide who you really are...

Wanting to print pictures at the UPS store but not wanting the small-town owners to know you're gay— Jenna Schwarz (@jschwarz143) May 12, 2017

7. ...or you flaunt it like it's nobody's business...

my gay ass needs merch to show my small ass town I mean business 😩

— pook (@Linzielelievre) June 12, 2017

8. ...until you remember that's not always safe, depending on where you are.

Image via tchaikovsgay/Tumblr.

"You know what’s great?" this Tumblr user captioned the photo above. "Putting some gay stickers on your car and promptly remembering Missouri hates gay people."

9. Spotting another gay couple out in the wild is always pretty exciting.

Cute gay couple in McDonald's. One white, one Asian. Little PDA. I ship it.

— Josh H. (@joshkhorton) June 3, 2017

10. There's not a whole lot do to in town already — but there's even less to do than if you were straight.

wheres my small town gay friend group thatll go chill out and drink on top of a water tower and throw bottles at god with me

— 🌱SWEET🌱 (@cousinjune) June 11, 2017

11. A lot of the time, it can feel like the world is against you.

Gay kid vs. small town in southern Missouri. #gay #lgbtq #missouri http://pic.twitter.com/Rrlnvj5S9Q

— Lane Hanger (@LanesTheName__) February 9, 2017

12. Being gay in a small town is almost like being famous. Almost.

Being gay in a small town is like having the plague and being a celebrity at the same time. People are afraid but wanna know all about it.

— Felicia Tempel (@FeliciaTempel) April 24, 2017

13. Big family events can become needlessly complicated.

Awkward is being the gay boyfriend in law at a small town funeral.

— Matt (@matt_lee_t) April 2, 2017

14. But you'll work hard to find pride in yourself wherever you are.

I do the "sad lonely gay in a small town" thing well.

— Prude of Babylon (@sopranohsnap) May 11, 2017

15. If you're out of the closet, your dating options can be ... limited at best.

Living in a small town and being gay is so hard like i have the choice of 3 girls like guess i'll just date myself ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

— ☁️CJ☁️ (@Aeriolo) April 8, 2017

16. And meeting other people on dating apps is exponentially more challenging.

Being gay in a small town http://pic.twitter.com/BwhZpFnTgx

— Cas💋🥝 (@hazlounilli) May 27, 2017

17. Like, really challenging.

Image via mywickedway/Twitter.

*yells into megaphone* "Is anybody out there?"

18. Because the dating struggle is real when you're a small-town gay in need of some serious gas money.

"30 miles is a wide radius for Tinder." Something inconceivable to my small town gay ass who has to go 50 miles to reach almost anyone.

— Kenneth Shepard@home (@shepardcdr) May 17, 2017

19. Your big "firsts" probably happened a bit later in life.

my biography would be called 'Sexual Repression: The Story of a Small Town Gay'

— isaac thayne 💥 (@isaacthayne99) May 17, 2017

20. Even finding like-minded friends can be hard.

Today i explained the woe of finding gay friends in a small town, my mom said "why do you need gay friends, Why not just regular friends?"

— lil doggies 🏳️‍🌈 (@owlbard) May 15, 2017

Thanks, mom.

21. You definitely know what it's like to crush on someone who doesn't return the feelings.

#MyFirstLoveWas was unspoken and unrequited. One of the downsides to growing up gay in a rural small town in the MidWest.

— Robert (@DaddyPimpin) May 13, 2017

22. And you look for signs that you'll be accepted wherever you go.

Literally any sign will do.

I was worried about seeming too gay for this small town Oklahoma combination gas station/diner, but then I saw the "sassy chipotle ranch." http://pic.twitter.com/4OBJqmZOav

— Emerson Collins (@ActuallyEmerson) April 26, 2017

23. Like, even this poster for a scary movie about clowns is a fierce artistic inspiration to a small town gay.

When you're from a small town http://pic.twitter.com/a5lMi4wReS

— Gay Geek & Fabulous (@officialgaygeek) June 12, 2017

24. Sometimes it feels like those scary movie monsters are the only ones that get you, actually.

the blair witch is a forest lesbian and the babadooks a small town gay

— thotticus (@FellStrategist) April 18, 2017

Which, yes, is very sad. Do better, Hollywood.

25. Your neighbors likely disagree with your political viewpoints.

Going off the reception of my hat yesterday, my small southern town does NOT want to make America gay again

— Annie 🏳️‍🌈 (@ashirleys) April 10, 2017

26. If more of us felt supported in small towns, there would be no bounds to the good we could do politically.

if every gay couple moved to a small town, bought a fixer-upper, and opened a coffee shop, we could elect a hot young president again soon

— Eric-by-the-sea (@ericschmerick) May 10, 2017

27. Maybe the most difficult thing about being gay in a small town is the feeling that no one truly understands you.

Out of all the gay tropes I could've been, why the fuck am I "the only gay kid in a small, damp Midwestern town"?

— miss steal yo girl (@loserlyons) May 25, 2017

28. But here's the thing: Sometimes your small town might surprise you in the best ways.

AT MY SCHOOL, A SMALL TOWN IN TEXAS, A GAY GUY AND A BI GIRL GOT VOTED AS PROM KING AND QUEEN. LIFE IS GOOD.

— abby (@endgamesanvers) April 3, 2017

29. Even in small-town Middle America, there are places that will love and accept you.

.@SpencerPrideInc, "the world's largest small town gay pride," is coming up Saturday!! 🌈 Ladies of Spencer Pride Drag Show at 4pm! 😁 http://pic.twitter.com/VtZOL5zc5f

— Bendovah Plenti (@justbendovah) May 29, 2017

30. Being able to connect with pop culture outside your town definitely helps a lot, though.

Being a weird artsy gay kid in Small Town, Midwest, is hard (even before you realize you're gay). But David Bowie made it a little easier.

— Jessica Colbert (@JessicaLColbert) January 11, 2016

31. And thank goodness for the rebellious teachers who give you the courage to be who you are.

Grateful! Born n 'Bama (small town) & knew who I was (gay). Gr8t teachers from k'garten-hi. Never a slam. Damn good teachers! ❤

— Tony Morris (@TonyMorris20) March 15, 2017

32. Not to mention those life-changing art and drama classes where you found safety and comfort.

As a gay teenager surviving in a small town arts&humanities were my salvation . The art lovers need to fight as hard as the gun lovers https://t.co/kUDejAkh31

— Benjamin Halton (@benjaminhalton) March 16, 2017

33. Because for all their flaws (and there are many), small towns don't always deserve their reputations.

How I came out, any negativity that I've dealt with and what it's like to live in a small town and be openly gay ☺️☺️ #loveislove

— gabs✨ (@kbonekatic) May 18, 2017

They can be pretty damn great.

34. Hopeful even.

Image via Tumblr user Mo-Mosa/Tumblr.

"You guys know what I just realized? Despite living in a Republican small town, I — a queer, Native-Afro-Latina — was voted Homecoming Queen in the fall and class president of my senior class. I was also one of the leads in my school's musical. Three years ago, I thought I'd never be accepted and that I'd never have friends. I was scared to speak up and scared of being seen. There is hope, y'all. Things get better." — Tumblr user Mo-Mosa

🏳️‍🌈 Positive change can't come soon enough 🏳️‍🌈

Fortunately, there are many organizations fighting the good fight with state and local chapters in your own backyard, should you want the support:

PFLAG is a nonprofit committed to strengthening the bonds between LGBTQ people, their families, and allies in their communities. Its work is crucial in smaller cities and towns across America.

The Trevor Project is an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention group helping kids who feel as though they have no one to turn to. They save lives in small towns.

GLSEN is a national organization aiming to make schools across the country as LGBTQ-friendly and inclusive as possible. Because our small-town schools (and all of our schools, really) need improving.

The Genders and Sexualities Alliance (formerly the Gay-Straight Alliance) brings LGBTQ students and their straight, cisgender peers together to build bridges and understanding.