Gay Identity in Nazi Germany

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Berlin in the early 1930s was a place of incredible liberation for its queer community.

There were over 100 gay clubs, and Magnus Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Science - the first sexology research centre in the world - developed pioneering gender assignment surgery.

Sadly, with the Nazis rising to power, dark days were to come.

What was it like for the gay community during this time? How did the Nazis react to a high ranking officer being openly gay and part of this community? And what was the legacy of Magnus Hirschfeld’s work?

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by Robert Beachy, historian and author of Gay Berlin: Birthplace of a Modern Identity, to find out.

This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

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