Male bonding and the persecution of homosexual men in Nazi Germany

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Abstract

Homosexuals were among the persecuted in Nazi Germany. A large
number found their way into the concentration camps where they
could be recognized by the pink triangle. Their fate was particularly
hard because they were not able to count on solidarity from the other
prisoners and they usually occupied the lowest position in the camp
hierarchy. Some German researchers estimate that between 5,000
and 15,000 primarily male homosexuals were imprisoned in the
camps. There are but a few known cases of women who wore the
pink triangle. Although further research has yet to be conducted
into the fate of lesbians under National Socialism, it is clear that the
Nazis considered male homosexuality much more dangerous than
female homosexuality. In contrast to male homosexuality, for
example, same-sex behavior of women was never criminalized. This
difference is undoubtedly related to the Nazi’s traditional view of
sexuality and role division between man and woman: women were
supposed only to perform the passive role.
The Nazis justified their homophobic regulations on the basis of
arguments on population policies. They proved so apprehensive of
the appearance and spread of homosexuality because it would result
in larger numbers of German men no longer procreating children. In
the Third Reich sexuality served above all propagation, population
expansion, and the purity of the so-called ‘Aryan’ race.4 Indeed,
various researchers explain the Nazis’ persecution of homosexuals in
terms of National Socialist population policies and racism. However
plausible this explanation may sound, it is, in my opinion, not entirely
convincing nor complete. In this article I will first indicate why it is not
satisfactory and then attempt to give an alternative and more sociological
explanation of the Nazi-persecution of homosexuals.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-45
JournalAmsterdams Sociologisch Tijdschrift
Volume4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1991

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