12. Lesbian relations between women were largely overlooked, even if they were often dismissed as close friendships rather than romantic unions
Large parts of Victorian society were preoccupied with the ‘moral threat’ of homosexuality. However, this preoccupation was almost entirely focused on male homosexuality. In comparison, lesbianism was largely overlooked. Rather than being tolerated, it was often ignored, with female lovers largely seen as ‘good friends’. Indeed, in many cases, it was simply assumed that two women lived together since they needed to support each other financially – after all, neither of them had been lucky enough to find a husband to support them!
So-called ‘Boston Marriages’ (a term coined by the novelist Henry James in 1886) were relatively commonplace. Moreover, several high-profile women were in lesbian relationships, many of which were almost certainly sexual in nature. The popular American actress Charlotte Cushman, for example, lived openly with her partner, the French painter Rosa Bonheur, and the couple were known for their ‘masculine’ independence and general demeanor. Similarly, the English poet Katherine Bradley teamed up with her niece Edith Cooper to publish novels under the pen-name Michael Field. The pair moved in together and, when they weren’t publishing novels, they were busy writing dozens of passionate love letters to each other.
