"Beyond the Law": The Politics of Ending the Death Penalty for Sodomy in Britain: The Politics of Ending the Death Penalty for Sodomy in Britain.

"Beyond the Law": The Politics of Ending the Death Penalty for Sodomy in Britain by Charles Upchurch explores the history of the abolition of the death penalty for sodomy in Britain. Upchurch challenges the notion that the period between the eighteenth and late nineteenth centuries was a sparsely documented gray zone in queer history. He examines the political maneuvering and debates surrounding the decriminalization of sodomy in the 1830s, 1840s, and 1861, shedding light on the motivations of key politicians involved. Upchurch also explores the connections between influential thinkers, authors, and politicians in advocating for reform. While some of his connections are speculative, the book provides valuable insights into this neglected period of queer history. [Extracted from the article]