The Homosexuality In Oscar Wilde's Trial Of 1895

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On the rainy day of November 13th, 1895, Oscar Wilde stood before a crowd of judgmental, harsh, and amused citizens. Handcuffed, ill, and indecently dressed, Wilde silently watched his audience as they laughed; outwardly judging Wilde for “gross indecency.” On this day, Oscar Wilde was arrested for sodomy, gross indecency with men, and nihilism. For two years he lived a quiet prison life, and dealt with the cruel discipline of hard labor. Since Wilde’s trial of 1895, the attitudes that society holds towards homosexuality have greatly altered. His trial became intriguing, and forced London, and a good portion of Europe, to face sodomy and the prison system with an open heart.
In 1891, Oscar Wilde became acquainted with a man that would soon