The Hirschfeld Archives: Violence, Death, and Modern Queer Culture

Focusing on the historical context of queer culture, the book explores the legacy of Magnus Hirschfeld, a pivotal figure in sexual rights activism. Founded in 1919, his Institute of Sexual Sciences aimed to advocate for homosexual and transgender rights, but was destroyed by the Nazis in 1933. Heike Bauer investigates how violence, including persecution and suicide, influenced early LGBTQ activism. By analyzing Hirschfeld's writings and various archival materials, the work reveals the complexities of queer existence in the early twentieth century, highlighting the intertwined issues of racism and gender violence.