John Gilbert McCurdy

In this engaging discussion, historian John Gilbert McCurdy dives into the trials of Robert Newburgh, a British army chaplain accused of homosexual relations in colonial America during a time of revolution. He examines how attitudes toward sexuality and liberty were evolving and becoming intertwined with political and moral anxieties. By highlighting Newburgh's flamboyant identity and the resulting societal backlash, McCurdy reveals the complexities of masculinity and loyalty within a military context, illustrating the rich tapestry of personal freedoms struggling against the norms of the era.