Homosexuality was a frequent reality for the ancient Greeks and Romans, who left many writings, paintings, mosaics representing homosexual men and lesbian women. The very term "homosexual" comes from Ancient Greek, meaning "same sex" and "lesbian" comes from the island of Lesbos (Greece) where Moon Goddess' priestesses practiced lesbianism.

In ancient Sparta, homosexuality was seen as a virtue. Many religions are tolerant to homosexuality; Christianity has been always seen as highly intolerant to this. And this shaped the attitude of the European and Western civilization towards this phenomenon.

Still, a new investigation shows that civil unions between male couples existed six centuries ago in medieval Europe. Moreover, gay marriages were not taboo in a "Dark Age" Europe. "Historical evidence, including legal documents and gravesites, can be interpreted as supporting the prevalence of homosexual relationships hundreds of years ago," said Allan Tulchin of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. "Western family structures have been much more varied than many people today seem to realize. And Western legal systems have in the past made provisions for a variety of household structures." signals Tulchin.

Legal contracts in France in the 14th century referred to the same sex marriages as "affr�rement" ("fr�re" is French for brother). "Similar contracts existed elsewhere in Mediterranean Europe. In the contract, the "brothers" pledged to live together sharing "un pain, un vin, et une bourse," (in French "one bread, one wine and one purse"). The "one purse" referred to the idea that all of the couple's goods became joint property. Like marriage contracts, the "brotherments" had to be sworn before a notary and witnesses," explained Tulchin.

"The same type of legal contract of the time also could provide the foundation for a variety of non-nuclear households, including arrangements in which two or more biological brothers inherited the family home from their parents and would continue to live together".

But non-related males also made "affr�rement" contracts that could formalize homosexual relationships. "I suspect that some of these relationships were sexual, while others may not have been. It is impossible to prove either way and probably also somewhat irrelevant to understanding their way of thinking. They loved each other, and the community accepted that.", Tulchin said.