A Dark History At the turn of the 20th century, despite the German Criminal Code banning homosexuality, Germany had a thriving LGBTQ community.
In Berlin alone, there were over one hundred queer bars, cafes, clubs, and organizations. Queer publications were plentiful and LGBTQ activists fought for a more equitable society.
However, as the Nazis rose to power, hostility towards LGBTQ people – especially gay men – increased, as they considered homosexuals to be a detriment to their goals of an ‘Aryan’ race.
While lesbians were also persecuted, queer men were targeted in greater numbers as men held more positions of power at the time.