The LGBTQ community in Germany suffered for more than 120 years from state persecution and social exclusion. Gay men were sent to jail and their social existence was destroyed. The peak of the persecution was during the Nazi regime, when gay men were sent to concentration camps and killed there. The democratic Federal Republic of Germany did not end this violation of human rights during the first 20 years of its existence. Beginning around 1970, the German community fought for legal and social equality, supported by straight allies, liberal politicians and the constitutional court. It was a long and hard way up to 1994, when criminal prosecution ended and the emancipation process showed first successes. Until 2017, when marriage equality was achieved, it was a difficult course with lots of setbacks.
This lecture will give an overview of this development and compare the German situation with other European countries. And it will discuss, how to deal with the return of rising homophobia and transphobia in times of strength gaining right-wing extremism.
Online on Wednesday, 6th October 2021 // 09.30 pm - 10.30 pm CET
Free and open to the public!
Zoom: nku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvcu2sqj4sGd3_HsNhSlbbbSqaWg9PmmKA
Invitation