I forgot how long and hard a struggle it was before mainstream press would routinely refer to same-sex partners as partners or companions. This little detail reminded me and helped put the rest of the academic debate into context.

Boswell's two books about homosexuality, particularly the one about same-sex marriage rites, made a huge splash among LGBTQ people, but sneers and silence were the ordinary mainstream reaction.

I suppose that's to be expected when you consider the times were such that a same sex partner couldn't be openly acknowledged in an obituary. Or that many newspapers would refuse to run those comic strips, which I remember quite well.

Boswell's work ended up having an enormous impact on Christianity, though, probably bigger and faster than he could have imagined before he died.

What an amazing man! I only wonder what he would have accomplished if it hadn't been for HIV and AIDS. When people talk about a lost generation, that includes brilliant stars like Boswell whose work was cut short so prematurely.