The Love that Dares to Speak its Name
Encyclopedia
The Love that Dares to Speak its Name is a controversial poem by James Kirkup
.
It is written from the viewpoint of a Roman centurion
who is graphically described having sex with Jesus
after his crucifixion, and also claims that Jesus had had sex with numerous disciples, guards, and even Pontius Pilate
.
It was at the centre of the Whitehouse v. Lemon
trial for blasphemous libel
, where the editor of Gay News
—which first published in the poem in 1976—was convicted and given a suspended prison sentence.
James Kirkup
James Falconer Kirkup, FRSL was a prolific English poet, translator and travel writer. He was brought up in South Shields, and educated at South Shields Secondary School and Durham University. He wrote over 30 books, including autobiographies, novels and plays...
.
It is written from the viewpoint of a Roman centurion
Centurion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
who is graphically described having sex with Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
after his crucifixion, and also claims that Jesus had had sex with numerous disciples, guards, and even Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilatus , known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate , was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus...
.
It was at the centre of the Whitehouse v. Lemon
Whitehouse v. Lemon
Whitehouse v. Lemon is a 1976 court case involving the blasphemy law in the United Kingdom.- Facts :James Kirkup's poem The Love that Dares to Speak its Name was published in the 3 June 1976 issue of Gay News...
trial for blasphemous libel
Blasphemous libel
Blasphemous libel was originally an offence under the common law of England. It is an offence under the common law of Northern Ireland. It is a statutory offence in Canada and New Zealand...
, where the editor of Gay News
Gay News
Gay News was a pioneering fortnightly newspaper in the United Kingdom founded in June 1972 in a collaboration between former members of the Gay Liberation Front and members of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality...
—which first published in the poem in 1976—was convicted and given a suspended prison sentence.