Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a homosexual.

[1906		O.C. Malvery Soul Market 242: From her I learned much of the habits of our neighbours. Of course many things that she told me would be utterly impossible to relate, and can only here be hinted at. From her I learned that most of the men in the house were ‘hocks’ or ‘dead bents,’ as she called common thieves].
1957		A. Wilson Bit off the Map (1968) 33: ‘I shouldn’t think you did know any Teddy boys, but if you did, I know what they’d call you — a f— bent, see.’ [...] Mr. Fleet [...] reddened with fury; his reputation as a womaniser was known to everyone.
1973		(con. mid-1960s) J. Patrick Glasgow Gang Observed 51: To avoid being considered ‘a queer hawk’ or a ‘bent-shot’ (homosexual), I had to chip in to the conversation.