In the novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, a number of characters enact heterosexual marriages as a way of concealing or distracting from their true sexual orientations. Historically, this practice is believed to have occurred among some high-profile Hollywood stars, and is sometimes known as a "lavender marriage."
An association between the color lavender and queer sexuality can be dated back to the late 19th century, possibly originating with the writer Oscar Wilde commenting on "purple hours" to describe the pleasures of romantic relationships between men. In the mid-20th century, the American government sought out and dismissed many people employed in government service because they were, or were believed to be, gay; historian David K. Johnson retrospectively applied the term "Lavender Scare" to describe this phenomenon. In 1969, Betty Friedan, a feminist leader, referred to lesbianism as the "lavender menace," arguing that lesbians would disrupt feminist efforts to achieve equality for women. Some lesbian feminists subsequently reclaimed the term "lavender menace" to assert their visible and important role within the feminist fight for gender equality.
The practice of lavender marriages in Hollywood likely originated with the use of "morality clauses" in the contracts between Hollywood studios and film actors, which became common practice in the 1920s. Studios knew that audiences were often attracted to see a particular star because of the persona they associated with that individual, and that actions that compromised someone's reputation could thus also impact sales of movie tickets. These expectations meant that Hollywood stars sometimes had a strong incentive to conceal queer relationships, and to give the impression of being in a heterosexual relationship; if this relationship could be orchestrated to further enhance their fame (such as by marrying a fellow star), it might have additional value. There is a long historical tradition of individuals (particularly royalty and aristocrats) who likely preferred same sex partners entering into heterosexual marriages, particularly if they needed to produce heirs, but the phenomenon of Hollywood lavender marriages specifically linked this practice to the rise of celebrity, the entertainment industry, and the fashioning of a public persona.
Because these arrangements were often secret, it is virtually impossible to know the precise details and agreements that governed some prominent Hollywood marriages. Some marriages widely believed to have functioned as lavender marriages (to at least some extent) include the relationships between Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck, Rock Hudson and Phyllis Gates, and Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. It is important to remember that many of these claims rely on rumor and speculation, and that ideas of sexual orientation and identity have been conceptualized very differently at different points in time. As the LGTBQ community was able to achieve greater levels of representation and inclusion, it became more and more possible for Hollywood stars to openly engage in queer relationships if they wished to. In the 21st century, the term "lavender marriage" is used less in the context of Hollywood relationships and more often to describe individuals within specific cultural contexts where queer relationships may not generally be considered acceptable. They may choose to enter into a heterosexual marriage or partnership as a more socially acceptable alternative, or for the companionship and stability it may provide.
