Aelred

Fragment of mediaeval manuscript "De Speculo Caritatis" with a portrait of Sanit Ælred of Rievaulx

Saint Aelred or Ælred (1110–1167) also known as Æthelred, was an English monk and writer. He was Abbot of Revesby in Lincolnshire from 1143 and of Rievaulx in Yorkshire from 1147. He was an influential advisor to Kings Henry II of England, Louis VII of France, and David I of Scotland..

Aelred seems to have been primarily attracted to his own sex. After becoming a monk, he observed his vow of chastity, but his own writings describe the intense love he felt for other monks.

The Anglican pro-LGBT organisation Integrity USA have adopted Aelred as their patron saint. His feast is celebrated on the 12th of January.

References

See also: John Boswell, Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality, University of Chicago Press, 1980.