"Hidden From History: Reclaiming the Gay and Lesbian Past" Edited by Duberman, Vicinus and Chauncey, Penguin Books 1989 (USA) and 1991 (UK). Anthology. In the chapter on Russia's Gay Literature and Culture at the time of the revolution, by Simon Karlinsky, there is mention (pages 349 - 350) of the peasant religious sects in the north of Russia and along the Volga River: "Two of these sects, Khlysty and Skoptsy, had recognisable homosexual, bisexual and sadomasochistic traits in their folklore and rituals." These could possibly have descended from pre-Christian sects, particularly considering that the regions in question were largely Finnic (Mordvin, Cheremis, etc) in their language and culture until recently. But I have heard of other examples in Russia and the Russian communities in Canada from sources that were not condemnatory. In the case of the Bogomils, I have spent much of the past 40 years in their heartland and have been made to understand that the derivation of the word "Bugger" from their customs was justified. Today, the descendents of the Bogomils are primarily nominal Muslims (Pomaks). But my experiences among them (and I have many Pomak friends still today, including one I just received an email from) has involved plenty of drinking and wild parties not associated with typical Muslim society. I have often been told that they are aware of their ancestors' open sexuality and its place within the former Bogomil ritual. The Western condemnation of sexual relations betwen men (women were largely ignored in these injunctions) stems primarily from St Augustine's interpretations of Christianity. His influence didn't reach the Eastern Orthodox hierarchy until much later and then only within those patriarchates which consciously strove to westernise. So, maybe there's some substance in the source of the word "Bugger" from "Bulgar". And (just to go on and on and... ) the people who inhabited the middle Volga region were also known as "Bulgars" (cognative with "Volga") in the Middle Ages.