Napoleonic Wars labelled as part of ‘queer history’

The Napoleonic Wars have been cited as a part of “queer history” in an article written for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), The Telegraph can disclose.

The piece was promoted by Vercida, a diversity recruiter on a £20,000 yearly contract with the DCMS to increase “under-represented groups” in the Civil Service.

In the article, titled “DCMS: Why LGBT+ History Month matters”, a department employee said that during the Napoleonic Wars “there were ballads of ‘cross-dressing’ females who would dress as male soldiers to be ‘female husbands’ to other women”, adding that “queer history in reality dates back to the times of ancient civilisations”.

Looking back on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, the author says: “We witnessed a dark age for hundreds of years after, where even queer people who existed were either not documented, or had to hide who they were out of fear of death. But we were there, and always were.”

Critics have disputed the article’s views.

Kate Barker, chief executive of LGB Alliance, said: “This is bad history and worse politics. Homosexuality was not ‘celebrated’ or even accepted in the Napoleonic era. Homosexuals, especially gay men, faced barbaric punishments, including being put in the pillory to be humiliated and abused by the passing public.

“When it comes to ‘queering’ history, no lie is too big for self-appointed, unaccountable diversity consultants. They are not interested in facts: their cynical goal is to twist the historical record to give legitimacy to modern, fashionable ideologies. Homosexuality has a fascinating history without having to make things up.”

Historian and Tory peer Lord Roberts, author of the biography Napoleon the Great, said: “I’ve not heard of anything about how ‘in the Napoleonic Wars there were ballads of “cross-dressing” females who would dress as male soldiers to be “female husbands” to other women’ although Andre Massena’s mistress dressed in a hussar uniform, but that was to attract a man.”

A contract with Vercida shows that the DCMS uses it as a supplier “to support the department to meet their strategic objective of increasing the representation of under-represented groups”.

The Government has at least 11 ongoing or expired contracts with Vercida, worth more than £250,000 in total.

‘Fostering diversity in government’

Morgan Lobb, chief executive of Vercida, said: “The Civil Service’s partnership with Vercida is rooted in the shared goal of fostering diversity and inclusion within government and private institutions.

“Vercida’s expertise in attracting and supporting underrepresented groups ensures that the Civil Service can access a wider pool of talent, reflecting the diverse makeup of the taxpayers it serves. The Vercida website offers a positive return on investment in comparison to the cost of using recruitment agencies.”

A government spokesman said: “This private company is independent of government. We are clear that civil servants first and foremost focus should be on delivering on the Government’s plan for a stronger economy, more opportunities for young people and controlled immigration.

“We are reviewing spending and activity on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training to ensure value for the taxpayer.”