The HaPenis Project

The book “Terrible Queer Creatures” by Brian Lacey offers a provocative exploration of Irish gay history, suggesting that St. Patrick may have been involved in a long-term intimate relationship with a man. Lacey points to evidence from Tirechan, a late seventh-century cleric, who wrote about St. Patrick and recounted a story involving a man whom Patrick converted to Christianity. This man had a son named Benignus, whom Patrick grew fond of and baptized. Benignus became Patrick’s close lifelong companion and eventually succeeded him as bishop of Armagh. Additionally, Lacey suggests that prior to his return to Britain after escaping slavery, St. Patrick may have supported himself by working as a prostitute.