A Short Note on a Non-Existent History

When I thought about what to write as part of LGBT+ Pride month I decided to head off to the Magic Circle library. In addition to having a huge number of books that teach magic, the library also houses an impressive collection of books on magic history, as well as biographical and auto-biographical works. I could already list a bunch of magicians who were or are LGBT+, but I thought it would be interesting to find out a bit more about how the community has interacted with the magic world. I’m awful at research, but I know how to use Google Scholar. However, nothing came up. Still, not the end of the world. The Magic Circle has one of - if not the - best stocked magic libraries in the world and, as awful at research as I am, the librarians at the Circle know their stuff.

Sadly, however, my request stumped them. They too could point me to books about magicians who are or were LGBT+, but there was nothing at all on how it has impacted magic in general. The four of us looked at each other for a few moments, surprise all over our faces, when one of the librarians - an excellent magician called Laura London - grinned at me and said ‘that’s your book to write, then’.

It’s hugely tempting, but I don’t think it is my book to write. Though I’ve been on my fair share of marches - I’m old enough to remember when they were demonstrations - I don’t know if I have the personal history, experience, or contacts necessary to write it. Most importantly, I don’t know if I have the passion.

I know this is an odd thing to say, but it’s honest. I think that this is a topic I will either need to leave to more hungry souls, or perhaps wait for my road to Damascus moment. However, given it’s long history and the fact that people have been LGBT+ for that entire time, I do believe it’s a shame that there isn’t far more queer literature on magic available. I don’t know, maybe I will just start making a few notes…