⚓ gay pirates and the bonds of matelotage
so my friend scar told me this cool thing about pirates. i already knew the same-sex-oriented girlies had a hack: dip into the convent, dodge marriage, and post up together for life. (i know from experience — shout out to my auntie sister genevieve and her “best friend” of 70 years who always signed christmas cards and came to parties together — with my beloved auntie, sister charlotte!) and dudes did it too — sneaking into monk life just to orbit each other without nosy neighbors clocking it. but scar told me that some men went to sea and became pirates or outlaws. and because ship captains make the laws on their own ships, they can marry people legally. they can also do wedding ceremonies and the crew will respect any couple the captain sealed. so this means gay dudes would leave the world and go off to be pirates — and get married!! and pirates recognized the love!!! what’s it mean? idk… maybe outlaws recognize the sting of being othered, so they weren’t about to gatekeep love on de...