British Colonialism and the Criminalization of Homosexuality

British Colonialism and the Criminalization of Homosexuality examines whether colonial rule is responsible for the historical, and continuing, criminalization of same-sex sexual relations in many parts of the world. Enze Han and Joseph O'Mahoney gather and assess historical evidence to demonstrate the different ways in which the British empire spread laws criminalizing homosexual conduct amongst its colonies. Evidence includes case studies of former British colonies and the common law and criminal codes like the Indian Penal Code of 1860 and the Queensland Criminal Code of 1899. Surveying a wide range of countries, the authors scrutinise whether ex-British colonies are more likely to have laws that criminalize homosexual conduct than other ex-colonies or other states in general They interrogate the claim that British imperialism uniquely 'poisoned' societies against homosexuality, and look at the legacies of colonialism and the politics and legal status of homosexuality across the globe.

Enze Han is Associate Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at University of Hong Kong. He has a PhD from George Washington University, USA, and is a member of the School of Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, USA. He used to teach at SOAS, University of London, UK. Joseph O'Mahoney is Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Reading and a Research Fellow in the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. He has a PhD from George Washington University, USA and has held positions at Brown University, Seton Hall University, and Regis College.

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The History of British Colonialism and the Spread of Criminal Law and Penal Codes Criminalizing Homosexuality Chapter 3 Empirical Analysis of Colonial Legacies around the World Chapter 4 Continuing Criminalization of Homosexuality in Several Former British Colonies Chapter 5 Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Several Former British Colonies Chapter 6 Conclusion