I'm researching this topic for a book I'm writing and i basically explained everything it the title.
Because of their more 'relaxed', nomadic lifestyle, I would imagine that perhaps views on homosexuality among Travellers could potentially have been more tolerable/accepting/not as judgemental as opposed to what the majority of the population in early 20th century Britain thought of homosexuality (ie against god, wrong, a criminal offense...). Am I completely in the wrong here?
Most likely wrong. Less sure on the early 21st century, but it’s certainly not that tolerated now.
There is a difference between unconventional (ie travelling) and bohemian - which most travellers are not if they are Roma or Irish. Actually, as very small and tight knit communities, they are quite socially conservative.
The travelling community are an incredibly proud people, who prize familial bonds and lineage and even today hold very strongly differentiated views on gender roles.
Men are hyper masculine: often engaging in boxing / bare knuckle fights to showcase this to other men. ‘Boys will be boys’ is a common refrain. They’ll also typically have jobs involving hard labour or traditionally male stereotypes: building, farming, mechanical etc. Bravado and machismo are important traits to cultivate, and most leaders in the travelling community are Male.
Women and girls are taught from a young age to be incredibly houseproud and have a certain look (long hair / hyper feminine make up etc). Young girls are socialised into wanting to marry young (at 25 you’d be considered an old bride) and to stay / marry within the community, and especially certain families. Many leave full time education before 16, but will absolutely remain in their family home until marriage.
Religion plays a strong role in the lives of most travellers: most are catholic, (although may indulge some more supernatural / mystical folk beliefs) and marriage is a very important institution. Marriage is both a religious commitment and a way to strengthen allegiances between core families. ‘Dating around’ for girls is not an option: they would be strongly judged for even spending time with Male travellers without supervision if unmarried, and as not part of a formal courtship.
All of this means that anyone who deviates from this very strong cultural expectation may struggle to find acceptance within the community. This would include LGBTQ+, young people wanting to move away / study in academia, etc. That’s not to say there aren’t gay travellers, just that being fully out is against most cultural norms of the wider community.