A Welsh council has sparked controversy by including the mythical ruler King Arthur in a timeline of LGBTQ history. According to local media reports, the council cited a legend in which King Arthur allegedly wore women’s clothing.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence in Arthurian legends that the legendary monarch was LGBTQ, he was added to a local educational resource in Denbighshire that focuses on key moments in LGBTQ history. The resource, based on the work of historian Norena Shopland, aims to highlight stories of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Welsh government-backed initiative is part of LGBTQ+ Language and History training for local libraries, museums, and archives. The council defended its decision by referring to a Welsh legend in which King Arthur disguised himself in women’s clothing to visit a girl in Ruthin.
While the inclusion of King Arthur in LGBTQ history has raised eyebrows, the controversy surrounding his alleged LGBTQ status adds a new dimension to the mythical ruler’s legacy.