zedoktar t1_j6by7xz wrote on January 29, 2023 at 6:01 AM

Reply to comment by angelojann in Dickens' David Copperfield: Were men more affectionate with each other in the 18th century? by angelojann

There was a push in the 1800s due to a conservative POS in parliament who got too much power and got out of control. Suddenly it was being harshly criminalized, and Oscar Wilde was one of the most prominent victims of this moral panic.

And yes religion as usual was a major factor.