Thanks for all the interesting commentary. I didn't get the impression that Plato, or many of the interlocutors in the Dialogues were homosexual. I believe Socrates was. It would make sense because homosexuals in society are more sensitive to conventions and why they're arbitrary.

Plato seems to make a bit of good fun of Socrates, calling him ugly, and making fun of his liking handsome boys that were too pretty for him. Maybe I read wrong.

Also, Socrates gayness was probably a good way for Plato to write about these subjects without getting into political trouble. "I didn't say it. Socrates the gay buffoon did!"

Like you say, so much nuance, so much left for interpretation. I also point out that Plato and Socrates were trying to understand what lead to the Peloponnesian War (what about human's definition of virtue, honor, truth, etc.). Questions becoming more and more important today!!!

If only people focused more on what Plato and Socrates were trying to figure out then, like you say, rather than half-ass projections of sophomoric gender issues. Oops, my boomer frustrations got out ;)