Talking about queer persecution in the past gave activists a language with which to combat queer persecution in the present. But the relentless focus on queer persecution — while politically necessary — often has the unfortunate effect of shunting to the side an equally important history of queer joy. In my own research on sexuality in modern Germany, queer joy also appears in the unlikeliest of places. Reports from the Gestapo, the Nazis’ feared secret police, chronicled monthly fetes attended by hundreds of Berliners: queer women and trans men sporting elegant evening coats, queer men and trans women dressed to the nines in flowing gowns. Understanding how and why trans, queer, gay, bi and lesbian people were and are persecuted is vital to recognizing and combating oppression of all sorts today.

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Persons: Samuel Huneke, Huneke, Samuel Huneke Hugh Ross, ’, Harvey Milk, revel, ”, John Boswell, George Chauncey, Germany —, Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, Sally Bowles, fetes Organizations: George Mason University, Democracy, State, CNN, Pride Month, Briggs Initiative, Initiative, Gay, Stasi, Gestapo, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Europe, States, Liberation, Cold, Germany, Nazi Germany, York, East Germany, Nazi