After 130 years, Harvard University Press finally publishes an uncensored edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray. 130 years is a long time to stay in a closet, lest we forget that it was still illegal to be homosexual in the United Kingdom when Wilde first published the novel. For practical purposes, homosexuality is all but outlawed in several states here–we have a long way to go before we put an end to discrimination against the LGBT community.
Here is an example of what you will now see in the uncensored publication, where Hallward professes his love for Dorian:
It is quite true I have worshipped you with far more romance of feeling than a man should ever give to a friend. Somehow I have never loved a woman.
The censored version appeared as such:
From the moment I met you, your personality had the most extraordinary influence over me.
I am not a supporter of censorship and I’m delighted that finally Wilde’s novel is being published the way it was intended–out and proud. Click here to read the full story.