 Byrne Fone , a historian of homosexuality @-@ related issues , emphasizes how the poem and the fictional discussion of Giraud and Byron 's relationship reveal insights into 19th @-@ century British views on homosexuality . To Fone , the poem was written by one who knew Byron and reveals Byron 's homosexuality . Fone also argues that the 1833 publication of the poem was prompted by the arrest of William Bankes , a homosexual friend of Byron , and the execution of Henry Nicholls for homosexual activity . The opening lines of the poem mention " crippled Talleyrand " , William Beckford and William Courtenay . Fone argues that the references to Beckford and Courtenay are used both to talk about the unfair treatment of homosexual men who had committed no real crime , and to emphasise England 's hypocrisy when it comes to sex . The poem then claims that England 's treatment of homosexuals forces Don Leon to travel to Greece in order to fulfill his desires and be free of intellectual control , which is fulfilled when Don Leon is able to be with Giraud . The fictional Giraud , according to Fone , allows Don Leon to break free of the homophobia of England . The poem , as he points out , tries to convince Moore to mention Byron 's homosexual desires . Fone concludes , " It is not only the poem that is an effective attack on homophobic prejudice , but the example of the poet himself . " 
