Love is a universal feeling that transcends language, culture, race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation. Despite societal norms and legal barriers against LGBTQIA+ relationships, people throughout history and across the globe have fallen in love and formed lasting bonds. The following ten international love stories showcase the resilience, courage, and humanity of individuals who dared to love openly.
1. Sappho and Erinna (Greece, 600 BCE)
Sappho, an iconic poet, had a passionate romantic friendship with fellow female poet Erinna on the island of Lesbos during ancient Greek times. Their poetic exchanges celebrated the depth of female love and bonding.
2. Emperor Ai of Han and Dong Xian (China, 1st century BCE)
Emperor Ai, a powerful Han Dynasty ruler, formed an intimate male partnership with his minister Xian, whom he would gaze adoringly at even in court. This remains one of China's most fabled stories of same-sex love.
3. Shah Abbas and the Wine-Server (Persia, 16th Century)
Mighty Abbas Shah I, who ruled Persia from 1588 to 1629, had a well-known male lover who originally served wine at his court before rising to become a close confidante. The Shah even featured his companion on some of his coins.
4. Juana de Aizpuru and Catalina De Erauso (Spain and the Americas, 17th Century)
Catalina, who lived first as a man and then later resumed her female identity, had a shipboard romance with the Basque merchant's wife, Juana, while crossing from Peru to Spain. Their passionate relationship overcame many gender norms and ethnic boundaries.
5. Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas (Britain, late 19th Century)
Despite the extreme homophobia of Victorian England that would later imprison playwright Oscar Wilde, he and "Bosie" Douglas shared an intense, loving (though tempestuous) relationship at significant risk before being torn apart.
6. Ailong and Li Jing (China, Early 20th Century)
In a Chinese opera community where Dan (men playing the female roles) often had same-sex relationships, Ailong, a female Dan performer, secretly left her abusive marriage to live with actress Li Jing. The two remained devoted companions for many decades until their deaths.
7. Sylvia Rivera and Julia Murray (the USA, 21st Century)
Trans activist Sylvia and her wife Julia had to marry and divorce twice—before and after the gender confirmation surgery—due to state laws refusing to recognize Sylvia's gender identity. But their commitment endured all the legal barriers.
8. Yemi A.D. and Samantha (Nigeria/Canada, contemporary)
When rising Nigerian celebrity photographer Yemi and her Canadian partner Samantha fell in love online, they risked the harsh anti-LGBTQ laws of their homeland to marry their partner—wearing the traditional Yoruba aso oke wrapper and top.
9. Harish Iyer and Udayan Sharma (India, contemporary)
When disability rights activist Harish used social media to reveal his same-sex partnership with Udayan, they became the first gay Indian couple to marry publicly, despite ongoing discrimination.
10. Mina & Suyin (South Korea/Taiwan, contemporary)
Lesbian couple Mina and Suyin met while hiking in Nepal. Despite coming from countries where LGBTQ rights lag, they travel Asia, raising awareness while documenting their adventures on social media. Love unites them across all cultural divides.
Conclusion:
From ancient legends to modern activism, these ten cross-cultural love stories demonstrate the enduring force of romantic connections across all barriers. They inspire us to expand the circle of compassion and celebrate the shared humanity of all LGBTQIA+ individuals and relationships worldwide. Although the struggle continues, love and visibility will ultimately triumph over injustice.
Presented by SHAVA, this article is part of our commitment to embracing the diversity within the transgender community. SHAVA stands in solidarity with transgender people of color, advocating for acceptance and allyship that recognize and celebrate the richness of their diverse experiences.
