Berlin
CNN
—
German parliament on Friday focused on annual report for first time holocaust memorial service About people persecuted and murdered because of their gender identity and gender identity during World War II.
German campaigners have worked for decades to establish an official ceremony to commemorate LGBTQ victims. Nazi government.
“Today’s time of remembrance focuses on a group of victims who had to fight for recognition for a long time. People who were persecuted by the National Socialists because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. House said at the opening of a ceremony marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Article 175 of the German Penal Code made sexual intercourse between men punishable by imprisonment. This section was removed from the East German Criminal Code in 1968, but in West Germany he reverted to the pre-Nazi version in 1969 and was completely abolished in 1994.
“Kissing, touching and even glancing became punishable by law. Tens of thousands were accused of homosexuality. This alone often ruined their social life and existence,” Bass said. said at a sombre memorial service.
“More than half of these men were convicted and usually served long prison terms or forced labor. In some cases, men were forced to undergo sterilization. Many committed suicide. ,” she added.
The Speaker of Congress said that while it mostly affected gay men, “lesbian women have never escaped persecution. People who cannot or do not want to live as their gender society demands.” But it wasn’t.”
“People who disobeyed National Socialist norms lived in fear and distrust. Many were abused for medical experiments and most died or were murdered within a short period of time,” she added.
The Rights Group of the German Lesbian and Gay Association hailed Friday’s ceremony, calling it “an important symbol of recognition” of the “suffering and dignity of the victims of imprisonment, torture and murder”.
Some members of Germany’s LGBTQ community attended an event in parliament.
Klaus Sildevahn, who was convicted in 1964 of having a sexual relationship with another man under Nazi-era law, told a German parliamentarian, “My feelings for another man, violated Article 175 of the Criminal Code.” guilty of a crime,” he said.
“And it wasn’t until 2017 that the convictions were overturned – including against me,” Sildewan told the court.
“I know many people in the queer community have gone through experiences similar to mine. Many people like me have lived in hiding for decades and still do. said Sildevan. He urged Congress not to forget history.
“It is important to me that young people remember the effort and strength that brought us to where we are today.”
The commemoration was attended by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and two visitors from the Ukrainian Jewish community.
Scholz on Friday recalled Germany’s historical responsibility for the murder of millions of Jews during the Nazi era.
Scholz tweeted: “The suffering of the six million innocent Jews murdered is as unforgettable as that of the survivors.
