Port Arthur and the spectre of ‘unnatural acts’ in Australia

Port Arthur and the Coal Mines Historical Site in Australia bear the lingering legacy of 'anti-sodomitical hysteria,' a historical phenomenon tied to the anti-transportation movement that shaped Australia's penal landscape. This study reveals how the spectre of homophobia persists, even as same-sex relationships gain social acceptance. By analyzing references to 'unnatural acts' in historical texts and public discourse, the research demonstrates the enduring impact of 19th-century moral panics on contemporary Australian consciousness. The approach combines archival analysis with critical historical reading, offering a nuanced perspective on how heritage sites grapple with complex, often uncomfortable histories.

Witcomb, A. (2020). Port Arthur and the spectre of ‘unnatural acts’ in Australia. Landscape Research, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2020.1740665