Homosexual Acts Were Illegal and Punishable by Death back in 18th century England.
The primary law was the Buggery Act of 1533, which had been re-enacted and remained in force throughout the entire century. "Buggery" was a capital offense, punishable by hanging. While actual executions for this crime were relatively rare, the threat was very real, and public shaming, imprisonment, and other severe punishments were common, especially when it came to members of the Catholic faith.