Celebrating LGBT+ Rights: French Embassy in Berlin Hosts First Magnus Hirschfeld Day
Honoring a Pioneer in LGBT+ Rights and Sexology
July 13th, 2024
On May 14, 2024, the French Embassy in Berlin joined forces with the city of Berlin to commemorate the inaugural Magnus Hirschfeld Day. This celebration pays tribute to Magnus Hirschfeld, a pioneering figure in the fight for LGBT+ rights and a trailblazer in the field of sexology. The event also aligns with the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia on May 17, reinforcing France's commitment to decriminalizing and protecting the rights of LGBT+ individuals.
Magnus Hirschfeld, born on May 14, 1868, in Kolberg, was a German, homosexual, Jewish doctor who significantly impacted the global LGBT+ movement. In 1919, he established the first sexology institute in Berlin, located on the current site of the House of World Cultures (Haus der Kulturen der Welt). This institute became a hub for groundbreaking research on sexuality and sexual identity, and it was here that one of the earliest sex reassignment surgeries was performed.
Hirschfeld was a staunch advocate for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. On May 15, 1897, in Berlin's Charlottenburg district, he founded the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee (Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee, WhK) alongside publisher Max Spohr, lawyer Eduard Oberg, and writer Franz Joseph von Bülow. This organization was the world's first to openly aim for the decriminalization of homosexuality. Hirschfeld's efforts to abolish Paragraph 175 of the German Penal Code, which criminalized homosexuality, garnered thousands of signatures.
Despite his significant contributions, Hirschfeld's work was vehemently opposed by the Nazis. In 1930, he left Germany for a global tour and never returned. While abroad, on May 6, 1933, students from the German University of Physical Education and members of the National Socialist student organization looted and destroyed his institute. Just days later, on May 10, 1933, his books and scientific writings were burned in Berlin's Opera Square, now Bebelplatz.
Exiled in France, Hirschfeld continued his work in Paris and later in Nice, where he passed away on May 14, 1935. His legacy endures as a foundational figure in the LGBT+ rights movement.
The first Magnus Hirschfeld Day in Berlin featured a series of events and activities aimed at educating the public about Hirschfeld's contributions and the ongoing struggle for LGBT+ rights. This celebration not only honors Hirschfeld's memory but also serves as a reminder of the importance of continued advocacy for equality and justice for all LGBT+ individuals.
By hosting this event, the French Embassy in Berlin underscores its commitment to promoting LGBT+ rights and commemorates a significant figure whose work laid the groundwork for future advancements in human rights and sexology.
