Story: Gay men’s lives

Three miners

Three miners

In 19th-century Pākehā society there were more men than women. This was especially true in rural areas, where men often worked as agricultural labourers, tree fellers, road and railway builders, and miners. Many lived in workmen's quarters or camps, and intimate relationships between men were relatively common. These gold miners pose around a (studio) campfire in the 1880s. Their demeanour suggests they were at ease in each other's company.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-091822-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Chris Brickell, 'Gay men’s lives - History', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/27637/three-miners (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Chris Brickell, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 11 May 2018