Gay Art. James Smalls

sins (Murray, p.197). In some of these discourses, however, same-sex emotional attachment and sexual practice was consistently condemned. The only hint of “lesbian” activity as “unnatural” found in either Jewish or Christian scripture is contained in Romans 1: 26–27. As already mentioned, this text formed the foundation of an important theological discourse that began with the church fathers and continued through Thomas Aquinas and after.

      Although some scholars interpret this passage as condemning heterosexual women’s sexual perversions, most believe that it specifically makes reference to lesbian sexual activity. It has been pointed out, however, that Saint Paul was writing during a time when Roman society condemned female homoeroticism as a reaction against women’s perceived refusal to remain subordinated to men (Murray, pp.194–5).