Overview

🚢 A hidden history emerges from the depths of the Atlantic...

For over a century, the story of the Titanic has been told and retold—of gallant gentlemen and stoic women, of class divides and tragic loss. But what about the lives that history erased? Queer Passage: An LGBTQ+ History of the Titanic uncovers the forgotten stories of LGBTQ+ passengers and crew aboard the most famous ship in history, exploring the hidden world of queerness in 1912 and beyond.

From the intimate companionship of Francis Davis Millet and Archibald Butt to the ambiguous relationship of Thompson Beattie and Edward Pomeroy Colley, this book examines Titanic’s queer-coded figures, the underground LGBTQ+ cultures of New York, London, and Paris, and how queerness was expressed—or silenced—across different social classes on board. It also investigates maritime traditions, the realities of Edwardian queer life, and the erasure of LGBTQ+ identities from Titanic media, from early films to Titanic (1997).

Blending meticulous historical research with cultural analysis, Truman Arleiter offers a compelling new perspective on a story we thought we knew. Queer people were aboard the Titanic. They lived, they loved, and they died alongside their fellow passengers. It’s time their stories were told.

Perfect for fans of queer history, forgotten narratives, and fresh perspectives on well-known events, Queer Passage is an essential read for anyone interested in the untold truths of the past.