The history of sodomy laws and early homophobic persecution in Flanders reveals a dark chapter that few remember today. On the Blandijnberg in Ghent, now a peaceful university campus, a man named Jean de Wettre was once burned at the stake for sodomy nearly 750 years ago. This event, dated as far back as 2025-08-19 18:49:00 in historical records, highlights the harsh realities faced by those accused of sexual “deviance” in medieval times.
- ONCE UPON A TIME... IN VLAANDEREN
- Highlight early homophobic persecutions in Flanders
- Blandijnberg in Gent hosts peaceful university campus
- Showcases modern acceptance and diversity
- Jean de Wettre executed for sodomy
- Illustrates medieval punishment for sexual acts
- Sodomy included various sexual behaviors
- Encompassed masturbation, same-sex, pedophilia, anal sex
- Medieval society condemned sodomy severely
- Used public execution as deterrent method
Back then, sodomy was a broad term covering everything from masturbation to same-sex relations and pedophilia. The medieval mindset saw all such acts as equally sinful, deserving the ultimate punishment: death by fire. Jean de Wettre’s execution was not just a legal act but a public spectacle fueled by fear and moral panic, with crowds convinced the city would be condemned to Hell.
How did such brutal intolerance shape Flanders’ social fabric? And what lessons can modern Belgium draw from this painful past? Let’s explore the implications of these early homophobic persecutions.
Why did society respond so harshly to sexual differences in the Middle Ages? This history urges reflection on fear-driven justice and societal exclusion. Key points include:
- Medieval sodomy laws lumped diverse sexual acts into one criminal category.
- Public executions served as warnings to enforce strict moral codes.
- Such persecution contributed to a culture of fear and silence around sexuality.
- Modern Belgium’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights contrasts sharply with this past.
Remembering stories like Jean de Wettre’s challenges US to defend human dignity and question injustice. How can Belgium continue to foster acceptance and prevent history from repeating itself? The answer lies in education and empathy for all communities.
