LGBT Book & Video Blog

Addressing issues that even today are considered, to an extent, taboo, "Two Irish Lads" tells the tale of two young second cousins who journey to Canada from their native Ireland in 1820.

Written in journal-entry form, the story eventually reveals the boys' affection for one another at a time when homosexuality was punishable by death.

The 70-year-old author admitted even he was surprised at what became an unexpected twist in his own story.

Originally, the former history professor began writing what he thought would be "a history lesson in novel form."

"I had no intention, at that time, of writing a gay novel," he said.

Burnie became an unwitting participant in a sort of literary voyeurism, as his main characters -- Patrick and Sean McConaghy -- began to choose their own adventure.

"They took off in the story

and I just tagged along," Burnie said. "It was really quite remarkable how they controlled me through them."

After the boys made it across the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Lawrence River, they began an isolated existence in the wilderness of Upper Canada. That, Burnie explained, is when "it became natural for them to go that extra step from just being cousins and friends to lovers."

Cousin-to-cousin relationships -- even marriage -- were not unusual in that era. Meanwhile, homosexuals faced potential execution -- that is, if they survived the humiliation that came with being discovered.

Orillian explores gay issues in new book


Orillia Packet & Times, Canada