Queer Trades, Sex and Society: Male Prostitution and the War on Homosexuality in Interwar Scotland

This book explores male homosexual prostitution in interwar Scotland, examining the connections between the trade and criminal gangs, the experiences of police detective William Merrilees, and the broader social and cultural implications. It offers a comparative perspective of homosexual trade in Scotland, England, and major foreign cities and will appeal to academics and students in social, sexual, and gender history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking work is the first scholarly exploration of male homosexual prostitution in interwar Scotland. The male prostitute holds a complex and contentious position within interwar society, depending on the perspective adopted. He can be seen as a symbol of a moral decline, as a participant in organized criminal activity, or as a victim of exploitation. The book delves into the intricate connections between male prostitution and criminal gangs that thrived during the interwar period, shedding light on the emergence and activities of Glasgow's notorious 'Whitehats' gang. Led by William Paton, this group consisted of a number of queer male prostitutes who faced poverty and social isolation.

Through meticulous research, the book reveals that while Paton's career was marked by criminal behavior, the young men who joined the 'Whitehats' were often driven by desperation and a sense of isolation. The book explores the experiences of Edinburgh police detective William Merrilees, who spearheaded a war on homosexuality in Edinburgh during the 1930s. By examining the tactics employed to regulate the homosexual trade and their impact on the men involved, the book offers a profound insight into the attitudes, opinions, and actions of police officers, politicians, and the legal system.

Furthermore, the book uncovers fragments from the lives of the men involved through personal reflections and letters, providing a humanizing perspective on their experiences. The book explores the anxieties that the trade in homosexual sex provoked, not only in terms of sexual understandings but also in relation to gender and nationhood. It offers a comparative perspective of the forms of homosexual trade in Scotland, England, and major foreign cities, highlighting the similarities and differences in the experiences of these regions.

This book has broad appeal to academics and students in the fields of social, sexual, and gender history, as well as the social and criminal histories of Scotland and Britain. It sheds light on a previously marginalized aspect of history and contributes to our understanding of the complex social, cultural, and political dynamics of interwar Scotland.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367683580