Persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany

Gedenktafel Rosa Winkel Nollendorfplatz

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1983-0121-500, Berlin, Bar "Eldorado"

Institut für Sexualwissenschaft - Bibliothek 1933

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Gestapo radio-telegram for list of suspected homosexuals. Transcribed for chief of police in Dortmund

§175 chart of convictions

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Kurt Wilcke - Mildestieg 27 (Hamburg-Barmbek-Nord).Stolperstein.nnw

Persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany refers to the systematic oppression, detention, and execution of individuals identified as homosexual by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. This period marked one of the darkest chapters in the history of the LGBT community, as thousands of gay men, and to a lesser extent lesbians, were targeted under a broader campaign of eliminating those deemed "undesirable" or "socially deviant" by the state.

Background

The rise of the Nazi Party in Germany brought about a drastic change in the treatment of homosexuals in the country. Prior to the Nazis' ascension to power, Germany, particularly Berlin, was considered a relatively liberal place for homosexuals. However, the Nazis, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, sought to purify German society through the exclusion and elimination of groups considered inferior or threatening to the ideal of an "Aryan" race. This included Jews, Romani people, disabled individuals, political dissidents, and homosexuals.

Legal Framework and Enforcement

The primary legal tool used against homosexuals was Paragraph 175 of the German Penal Code, which criminalized homosexual acts between men. Although the law was enacted in 1871, the Nazi regime expanded its scope and intensified its enforcement. In 1935, amendments to Paragraph 175 increased the range of activities considered criminal and introduced harsher penalties, leading to the arrest of thousands of men.

The regime established the Reich Central Office for the Combating of Homosexuality and Abortion to coordinate the persecution of homosexuals. Homosexuals were arrested, tried, and often sentenced to prison or concentration camps. Within the camps, they were forced to wear a pink triangle to signify their supposed crime and were subjected to extreme abuse, medical experimentation, and often execution.

Impact on the LGBT Community

The persecution had a devastating impact on the LGBT community in Germany. Many were forced into hiding, lived in fear of exposure, or fled the country. The social progress and vibrant subcultures that had developed in the 1920s were effectively destroyed. The trauma and losses experienced during this period had long-lasting effects on survivors and the collective memory of the LGBT community.

Post-War Recognition and Remembrance

For decades after World War II, the suffering of homosexual victims of the Nazi regime was largely ignored or minimized. Paragraph 175 remained in effect in West Germany until 1969, contributing to the continued stigmatization and criminalization of homosexual individuals. It was not until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that efforts to recognize and commemorate the persecution of homosexuals under the Nazis gained momentum. Memorials have been established in several cities, and historical research has shed light on the experiences of victims.

See Also

• Holocaust
• LGBT rights in Germany
• History of homosexuality