Pre-Liberation Gay Type Test

The Pre-Liberation Gay Type Test is based on Richard Hauser’s 1962 study The Homosexual Society.

Richard Hauser’s The Homosexual Society (1962) is a sociological exploration of homosexuality in Britain during a time when societal attitudes were deeply shaped by prejudice, ignorance, and the absence of legal or social protections for homosexual individuals. The book provides an extensive analysis of what Hauser identifies as "types" of homosexual men, categorized based on their behaviors, social contexts, and psychological traits. It captures the mid-20th-century zeitgeist when homosexuality was not only stigmatized but often regarded as a deviant behavior or social problem requiring containment or correction.

Hauser's study is notable for its detailed segmentation of homosexual identities. He presents over 30 distinct types, ranging from "The Bisexual" to "The Married Man," "The Pub Type," and "The Self-Isolated Homosexual." Each type is explored through its unique characteristics, illustrating the diversity of homosexual experiences during an era marked by secrecy and repression. Hauser goes further to examine subtypes within these categories, exploring how class, social status, and personal circumstances influenced the lives of these individuals. For example, he contrasts the experience of the upper-class married man, whose homosexual activities were often cloaked by wealth and privilege, with that of the working-class individual, who faced harsher social judgment and fewer means of discretion.

The book does not limit itself to individual identities but also examines the broader societal framework in which homosexuality existed. Hauser contextualizes homosexuality as both a personal and social phenomenon, shaped by class structures, family expectations, religion, and public institutions. He critiques the societal stigma that forced many individuals into secrecy and double lives, highlighting the psychological toll this often took. However, his analysis reflects the biases of his time, frequently pathologizing homosexuality and presenting it as a "fixation" or developmental aberration. This perspective underscores the limited understanding of human sexuality prevalent during the mid-20th century, even among scholars.

A significant portion of The Homosexual Society is devoted to exploring how homosexual individuals navigated a hostile world. Hauser describes the use of public spaces like pubs and clubs as sanctuaries where homosexual men could find companionship, albeit often at great personal risk. He also delves into the relationships between homosexual men and their families, often shaped by secrecy, misunderstanding, and societal pressures to conform to heterosexual norms through marriage.

Hauser's work is both a historical artifact and a reflection of the evolving discourse on homosexuality during a pivotal period. Published five years after the Wolfenden Report—a groundbreaking document recommending the decriminalization of homosexual acts between consenting adults—it highlights the growing, albeit tentative, interest in understanding homosexuality as a social phenomenon. Yet, the book’s conclusions are firmly rooted in the biases of its time, with an emphasis on "curing" or "managing" homosexuality rather than embracing it as a legitimate identity.

Ultimately, The Homosexual Society is a valuable resource for understanding the lived experiences of homosexual men before the gay liberation movement. While its framework is outdated and often problematic, it provides an important lens into a world where secrecy, survival, and identity intersect in complex and often painful ways.

As the publishers of this free test, which allows you to peer into Hauser’s work, we strive to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting this test to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present test do not provide professional assessments or recommendations of any kind; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.